The use of Dexon as a replacement for the calcaneal tendon in sheep.

We have studied the use of filamentous polyglycolic acid (Dexon) for the induction of neotendon in the calcaneal tendon of sheep. Uniformly good results were obtained, with the formation of a thick neotendon. However, in a control group the power of spontaneous regeneration of the tendon was studied; it was found that, provided overlengthening of the gap was prevented, an equally good tendon resulted. It is concluded that this particular model is not an appropriate one for testing neotendon induction, despite its use for this purpose in the past. The favourable results of using filamentous polyglycolic acid as a tendon replacement suggest that it should be further investigated (in a more suitable model) since it may well have useful clinical applications.