Experimental and clinical investigations of the use of carbon fiber sutures in equine tendon repair.

This study investigates the effectiveness of using braided carbon fiber sutures to repair injured digital flexor tendons in horses. The study involved 20 horses in both experimental and clinical cases, comparing tendon healing and recovery with controls who did not undergo surgical repair.

Research Methodology

• The research was conducted on 20 mature horses, split into two groups of 10. One group comprised experimental cases and the other, clinical cases.
• The digital flexor tendons of these horses, either surgically transected or lacerated, were repaired using braided carbon fiber sutures.
• As a control group, four additional experimental horses underwent tenectomies (surgical resections of tendons) but did not receive any surgical repair.

Results & Findings

• Of the 10 clinically affected horses, six were successfully returned to their intended use post-treatment.
• Two horses had to be euthanatized due to complications arising from the treatment. Meanwhile, two more horses were still in the process of recuperation at the time the results were tabulated.
• The experimental horses, save for the four in the control group, were euthanatized at various time intervals (12 days, and 1, 2, 4, 8, and 12 months) post-treatment. This was done to study the progression of tendon repair and healing over time.

Observations and Conclusion

• The study found that tendon scars in both the clinically afflicted and experimental horses were structurally and functionally similar, indicating a consistent healing process across both groups.
• The primary histologic (relating to tissue structure) difference observed between the controls and treated horses was more extensive remodeling in the latter group at the 8-month mark.
• This suggests that the use of braided carbon fiber sutures in equine tendon repair may prompt enhanced therapeutic tissue remodeling and potentially improved healing outcomes.