Quantitative effect of tenorrhaphy on intrinsic vasculature of the equine superficial digital flexor tendon.

Objective—To compare effects of the locking-loop suture pattern (LLP) and 3-loop pulley (3LP) suture pattern for tenorrhaphy on the intrinsic vasculature of the superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) of horses in vitro after surgery. Sample Population—16 forelimbs obtained from 8 mature horses. Procedure—Tenotomy and subsequent tenorrhaphy was performed in anesthetized horses. Following systemic administration of heparin, horses were euthanatized and the limbs were removed and placed under tension to load the flexor tendons. The intrinsic vasculature was then perfused with a mixture of barium sulfate and water. Four-millimeter sections of the SDFT were prepared for microangiographic analysis. Mean vessel density was calculated for each section by use of a grid consisting of 1.5-mm2 vascular assessment squares (VAS). Comparisons were made among the control, LLP, and 3LP groups. Results—Mean ± SD vessel density was 3.11 ± 0.38, 1.47 ± 0.47, and 2.01 ± 0.63 perfused vessels/1.5 mm2 for control, LLP, and 3L...