Fahir DEMİRKAN1, Nagehan ÇOLAKOĞLU2, Özkan HEREK3, Gürkan ERKULA1

1Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Anabilim Dalı Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Denizli
2Patoloji Anabilim Dalı Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Denizli
3Pediatrik Cerrahi Anabilim Dalı Pamukkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Denizli

Keywords: Flexor Tendon, Repair, Reconstruction, Adhesion, Amniotic Membrane.

Abstract

Introduction: Aim of our study is to investigate the use of amniotic membrane as a long term bioprosthesis in hand surgery. Material and
Methods: Flexor tendon sheath is excised and tendon was repaired in the control group. In Group 2 both flexor tendon and its sheath was repaired. In Group 3, the repaired tendon was covered with amniotic membrane. Histological evaluation of the repaired tendons were done at third, sixth and twelfth weeks.
Results: Histologic evaluation of the specimens revealed that tendon repairs covered with amniotic membrane have significantly reduced amounts of adhesion when compared with the other groups (p<0.05).
Discussion: In the tendon repair model, the amniotic membrane is completely resorbed by time and is replaced with connective tissue cells of extrinsic origin. Amniotic membrane as it completely wraps around the tendon, tendon adhesion due to ingrowth of such extrinsic cells are prevented. The usage of amniotic membrane in prevention and treatment of adhesions should always be kept in mind because of its low cost and easy preparation.