- 期刊
Experience with Artificial Ligament Comprised of Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene Coated with Poly (Lactic-Co-Glycolic Acid) in the Rabbit Model
以聚乳酸－聚甘醇酸共聚高分子及聚四氟乙烯組成之人工韌帶之動物實驗結果
並列摘要
Purpose: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is common, predominantly due to motorcycle accidents. While ACL reconstruction with autograft provides the most favorable clinical outcome, drawbacks of autograft or allograft are well recognized. Reconstruction of ACL with synthetic graft has been attempted, but none of these alternatives provide a long-term clinical solution. Methods: A scaffold consisting of PLG A (poly [lactic-co-glycolic acid]) and expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (e-PTFE) scrim yarns was developed. The PLG A allowed space for cell growth, and e-PTF E provided a force to resist the strength during the initial healing period. This graft was used to replace a portion of ACL in rabbit, which was observed for 3, 6, and 9 weeks. Results: Histological examination showed decreased inflammation over time, which was more evident at the graft site. Most ACL grafts did not heal with varying widths of the remaining defect. Some sites healed completely without synthetic graft. Conclusions: An animal model with lower baseline healing ability may be more suitable in showing the effect of artificial ligament design. Larger animals are appropriate for mimicking ACL injury in humans, which allows for more accurate tissue manipulation. Greater sample size and longer observation time would have improved this study. Because of unsatisfactory degradation rate, adjustment of the biodegradable material (PLGA) for longer degradation time is necessary to test whether this design will improve the healing of ligament defects.