The authors performed a prospective randomized clinical trial to study the effects of ADCON-T/N after flexor tendon repair in Zone II. ADCON-T/N is a bioabsorbable compound of porcine gelatin and polyglycan ester that inhibits adhesion formation. Thirty digits were included in the ADCON treatment group and 20 digits were included in the control group. ADCON-T/N had no significant effect on total active finger motion. A slightly higher rupture rate was noted in the experimental group (33% versus 20%). The mean time to rupture in the experimental cases was 4 weeks, compared to 2 weeks in the control cases.
The majority of tendon ruptures will occur within 10 days following surgery. The authors hypothesized that the delayed rupture rate in the experimental cases may have been attributed to ADCON effects on tendon healing. No explanation was given for the high rate of rupture in the control group. The repairs were completed with a 4-0 Prolene core suture and a 6-0 Prolene epitendinous suture in all cases. Rehabilitation involved controlled active mobilization. The authors recommended further laboratory studies with special reference to ADCON elimination rate, ADCON effects on tendon healing, and ADCON use in conjunction with stronger tendon repair techniques before initiating new clinical trials.
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J Hand Surg