抄録
In order to study the use of polypropylene mesh as a substitute for the Achilles tendon, experiments were conducted on a mesh graft to the Achilles tendon in rats, and both histological and microangiographical studies were carried out. With rats under ether and pentobarbital anesthesia, right achilles tendon was transected. During the fourth postoperative week the wound was reopened and the gap of the tendon was bridged with a polypropylene mesh graft.
Histological findings showed neogenic capillaries and a few fibroblasts in the edematous interstitial tissues on the third postoperative day. During the first postoperative week, there are minimal foreign body histiocyte reaction with a remarkable increase of fibroblasts; a granulation tissue involving a lot of capillaries appeared and a remarkable edema was noted locally. During the fourth postoperative week, fibroblasts decreased in number and capillaries were still visualized. During the second postoperative month, fibroblasts decreased remarkably in number, but however, collagen fibers increased and were well aligned.
Microangiographic findings showed newly formed vessels at the portion of graft on the third postoperative day. During the first postoperative week, hypervascularity and continuity between proximal and distal vessels were seen in the neogenetic tissue. During the fourth postoperative week, the vessels around the polypropylene mesh increased.
It was concluded that the polypropylene mesh can be used as scaffold for proliferating neogenetic tissues when it is grafted to the transected Achilles tendon in rats.
