Development of polyvinyl alcohol-hydrogel (PVA-H) shields with a high water content for tendon injury repair.

The main problem in tendon repair is adhesion formation between the tendon and surrounding tissue. To prevent this, we have developed adhesion preventive shields using polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel (PVA-H) with 90% water content. This implant experiment used the deep flexor tendon of the 3rd toe of the domestic fowl. Injured tendons shielded with PVA-H healed within about 3 weeks without adhesion to the surrounding tissues. Neither breakage of the PVA-H shield itself nor infection or degeneration in the surrounding tissue was observed. These results show that tendon is capable of intrinsic repair, and was able to regenerate using synovial nutrition through the PVA-H. The high water content of PVA-H may be clinically useful and applicable to adhesion preventive shields for tendon repair. Copyright 2001 The British Society for Surgery of the Hand.