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Histological evaluation of the effects of 5-fluorouracil on partially divided flexor tendon injuries in rabbits

  • Experimental Study
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Abstract

Background

The most frequent complication after flexor tendon repair is the development of adhesions. Our purpose was to investigate the effects of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) on tendon adhesions in partially divided profundus flexor tendons (flexor digitorum profundus (FDPs)) following surgical repair and in partially divided FDPs without surgical repair.

Methods

The study was performed on the deep flexor tendons of the second and third digits of the right hind paws of rabbits.

Results

Results of the repair versus the nonrepair of zone two injuries were compared via histopathological evaluations of tendon adhesions. Based on the results observed in our experimental study, during histological evaluation, the adhesion was significantly greater in subgroup 1a in which the tendons were repaired surgically and not treated with 5-FU than those of subgroup 2a in which the tendons were repaired surgically and treated with 5-FU.

There were no significant differences in histological evaluation of the tendons of subgroups 1b and 2b. Based on the results observed in our experimental study, we conclude that 5-FU did not affect on the creation of adhesion in partially divided flexor tendons that have not been surgically repaired.

Conclusions

A single topical application of 5-FU at a concentration of 25 mg/ml was effective in controlling peritendinous adhesions following surgical repair in this animal model.

Level of Evidence: Not ratable.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinic of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, 10000, Pishtina, Kosovo

    Shkelzen B. Duci & Hysni M. Arifi

  2. Clinic of Pediatric Surgery, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

    Hasan R. Ahmeti

  3. Institute of Anatomic Pathology, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

    Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu, Labinot Shahini & Fisnik Kurshumliu

  4. Clinic of Neurosurgery, University Clinical Center of Kosovo, 10000, Prishtina, Kosovo

    Agon Y . Mekaj

Authors
  1. Shkelzen B. Duci
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  2. Hysni M. Arifi
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  3. Hasan R. Ahmeti
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  4. Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu
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  5. Agon Y . Mekaj
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  6. Labinot Shahini
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  7. Fisnik Kurshumliu
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Hasan R. Ahmeti.

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Ethical standards

All applicable international, national, and institutional guidelines for the care and use of animals were followed.

Conflict of interest

Shkelzen Duci, Hysni Arifi, Hasan Ahmeti, Suzana Manxhuka-Kerliu, Agon Mekaj, Labinot Shahini, and Fisnik Kurshumliu declare that they have no conflict of interests.

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Duci, S.B., Arifi, H.M., Ahmeti, H.R. et al. Histological evaluation of the effects of 5-fluorouracil on partially divided flexor tendon injuries in rabbits. Eur J Plast Surg 40, 1–10 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-016-1237-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-016-1237-z

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