The Early Effects of Sustained Platelet-Derived Growth Factor Administration on the Functional and Structural Properties of Repaired Intrasynovial Flexor Tendons: An In Vivo Biomechanic Study at 3 Weeks in Canines

Richard H. Gelberman, Stavros Thomopoulos, Shelly E. Sakiyama-Elbert, Rosalina Das, Matthew J. Silva

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

66 Scopus citations

Abstract

Purpose: A bioactive fibrin-based delivery system was used to provide sustained administration of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF-BB) in a clinically relevant model of intrasynovial flexor tendon repair. We hypothesized that PDGF-BB administered in this manner would improve the sutured tendon's functional and structural properties 3 weeks after repair. Methods: A delivery system consisting of 30 μL of fibrin matrix, peptide, heparin, and 100 ng of PDGF-BB was incorporated into the repair sites of randomly selected medial or lateral forepaw flexor digitorum profundus tendons of 8 adult mongrel dogs. The remaining forepaw flexor digitorum profundus tendons were repaired without the growth-factor and fibrin-based delivery system and served as controls. The surgically treated forelimbs were treated with controlled passive motion rehabilitation. The animals were killed at 3 weeks, at which time the tendons were tested for range of motion with a motion analysis system and for tensile properties with a materials testing machine. Results: Proximal interphalangeal joint and distal interphalangeal joint rotation values were significantly higher for the PDGF-BB-treated tendons compared with the repair-alone tendons. Excursion values were also significantly higher in the PDGF-BB-treated tendons. There were no significant differences in tensile properties when comparing PDGF-BB-treated with repair-alone tendons. Conclusions: The functional properties of repaired intrasynovial flexor tendons were significantly improved with the sustained administration of PDGF-BB. The failure to achieve improvements in ultimate load, stiffness, and strain in the experimental group may have been due to suboptimal PDGF-BB dosage or suboptimal release kinetics.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)373-379
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of Hand Surgery
Volume32
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2007

Keywords

  • Flexor tendon repair
  • platelet derived growth factor
  • sustained delivery

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