Ultrastructural analysis of experimental tenoplasty using bovine peritoneum

Abstract

Frequent lesions to tendons and ligaments bring lots of concern to orthopedists and veterinaries. Rupture of the calcaneal tendon is one of the most common tendon injury observed in the dog. The calcaneal tendon, also known as Achilles tendon or occasionally Achilles’ tendon is a tendon of the posterior leg and it is the strongest tendon in the structure of the musculoskeletal system in the dog. In dogs the calcaneal tendon originates from different muscle‐tendon units, the gastrocnemius tendon, the superficial digital flexor tendon, and the common tendon of the biceps femoris, gracilis and semitendinosus muscles. The aim of this study is to examine by scanning electron microscopy 98%‐glycerin‐fixed bovine peritoneum (GFP) used to fix lesions in dog's calcaneal tendon.Twenty one mixed bread healthy adult dogs, weighting between 10 and 15 kg were submitted to the implantation of a 1 cm‐GFP graft and sacrified 2, 7, 15, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days after the surgery. Fragments from 3 different segments, proximal, middle and distal, of the implanted graft were processed for the scanning electron microscopy analysis. The samples were fixed in 2% glutaraldehyde, post‐fixed in 1% Osmium Tetroxide, dehydrated in a series of alcohol, sputtered and observed in the scanning electron microscope.In all studied dogs, the peritoneum graft has been easily found without significant macroscopic derangements. Fifty five days after surgery, dogs were able to walk normally. The analysis under electron microscopy showed a presence of collagen tissue formation after 30 days post‐operative In this period we could observed the formation of neotendon involving peritoneum and nylon thread implanted in the segment. With 120 days post‐operative surgery can observe the presence of abundant collagen fibers arranged longitudinally, with morphology similar to the calcaneous tendon.Putting all into a nutshell, it is possible to conclude that glycerin‐fixed bovine peritoneum would be an interesting alternative for fixing tendon lesions as it seems to stimulate connective tissue deposition in order to form a good matrix for new tissue development.