Experimentelle Sehnenregeneration von Rotatorenmanschettendefekten mit autologen Tenozyten und einem biodegradablen Kollagen-Scaffold im Schafmodell

Abstract

BackgroundTendon engineering still represents a main problem in rotator cuff repair. For this purpose colonization of a scaffold with cultivated cells potentially leads to an improvement. Hypothesis of this study was that autologous tenocytes seeded on biodegradable collagen-based scaffolds have the potential to improve tendon healing in a massive rotator cuff lesions in a sheep model. Materials and MethodsA defect with a size of 3.5×1.5cm in the tendon-bone junction of infraspinatus tendon of 24 sheep (3 groups with each 8 animals) was created. Group I served as defect group. Animals in group II received the implantation of a biodegradable collagen-based scaffold. In group III a collagen-based scaffold seeded with autologous tenocytes was implanted. 12 weeks postoperatively the regenerated tendons were examined with biomechanical testing. ResultsIn biomechanical testing, healthy control tendons showed an average tensile strength of 2995N. The mean tensile strength for groups I-III was 2004N, 2088N and 2516N. Data for group III did not differ significantly (p=0.0938) from native controls in ultimate tensile regarding strength (N) and breaking stress (N/mm2). ConclusionsUse of autologous tenocytes seeded on biodegradable collagen-based scaffold in large animal model results in superior biomechanical outcome compared to unsupplied defect and defect coverage with non-colonized scaffold. Level of evidenceLevel IV.