Reconstruction of flexor tendon pulley with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (E-PTFE). An experimental study in rabbits.

Gore-Tex (expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene, E-PTFE) was used to replace the distal pulleys on the proximal phalanges of 20 rabbits. Morphology and function of the reconstructed pulleys were evaluated at 12-20 weeks. The breaking strength of the E-PTFE pulley equalled that of a normal pulley. Range of motion, tendon excursion, and force of flexion were no different from those of normal pulleys. No adhesions between flexor tendons and synovial tendon sheaths or the E-PTFE pulleys could be detected. No adverse tissue reactions were seen. Fibroblast-like cells from the surrounding tissues had grown into the membrane. In other experiments, where the pulleys had been either removed or detached, local fibrosis and adhesions were seen, and the deep flexor tendons had ruptured. The results of the present study indicate that E-PTFE can be used as a biosynthetic replacement for damaged pulleys.