Abstract
The aim of the study is to determine the histological, biochemical, and biomechanical efficacy of fibrin clot and vitamin C in the healing of Achilles tendon ruptures (ATR) in a rat model.52 adult Wistar Albino rats (300–450 g) were used in the study. 12 groups were divided into four groups as Monitor (Group I), Control (Group II), Fibrin Clot (Group III), Fibrin Clot with vitamin C (Group IV). Four rats were used to obtain fibrin clots. Fibroblast Growth Factor (FGF) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) were measured in the blood of tail vein (1 cc) on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st day. Four rats were sacrificed on the 21st day from each group for histological evaluation. The rest of the rats were sacrificed at 42nd day, half for biomechanical and a half for histological evaluation.
The 42nd-day HSS scores in group III and group IV were significantly lower than those of group I and group II (p =0.036 and 0.019; respectively). The 42nd-day HSS score of group IV was significantly lower than group III (p =0.036). The Maximum force N value of group III and group IV was significantly higher than those of group I and group II (p <0.05). Group IV showed a significantly higher Maximum force N value than group III (p =0.025). The blood FGF and VEGF levels of group III and group IV on the 3rd, 7th, 14th, and 21st days were higher than those of group I and group II (p <0.05).
In the experimentally formed ATR model, fibrin clot and vitamin C produced a stronger tendon structure in terms of biomechanics while providing histological and biochemically better quality tendon healing in the surgical treatment of ATR. We believe that this model can be used to accelerate high-quality tendon healing after ATR.
