Effect of bone marrow on superficial digital flexor tendon healing in sheep

Abstract EN

The present study was to compare the effectiveness of bone marrow transplantation on the healing of experimentally transected superficial digital flexor tendon in sheep.

Eight adult sheep, aged between 9 months to one year were used.

The animals were divided into two equal groups (control and allograft).

A transverse cutting has been made in the superficial digital flexor tendon of the middle third of the metatarsal bone under the effect of sedation and local anesthesia.

The tendons were sutured with Bunnell suture by using polypropylene thread (2.0 usp) in the control group.

While in allograft groups 2-3ml allograft bone marrow was injected at the site of suture tendon which was induced by similar procedure as in control group.

The incision was closed as a routine manner.

Gross examination showed adhesions between the tendon and adjacent structures which were severe in the control group, less than that in allograft.

Histopathologically observations of biopsies harvested after (15, 30 and 60 days) showed dense immature collagen fibers which was characterized by regular direction, uniform of their cellular elements filled the gap space of tendon injury with more adhesion in late stages of the control group.

In allograft treated group inflammatory cells and arrangement fibrous connective tissue with collagen fibers appear more than in the control group in the same period with less adhesion.