Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs

BackgroundTendon repairs often result in adhesion formation which can cause persisting functional deficits. Close proximity of healing tissues increases friction during tendon excursion, often leading to tendon tethering postoperatively. Despite continued improvements in techniques for tendon repair...

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Main Authors: Yaw Adu, Justin Harder, Cameron Cox, Gracie Baum, Evan J. Hernandez, Brendan J. MacKay
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2024-12-01
Series:Frontiers in Surgery
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2024.1447515/full
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author Yaw Adu
Justin Harder
Cameron Cox
Gracie Baum
Evan J. Hernandez
Brendan J. MacKay
author_facet Yaw Adu
Justin Harder
Cameron Cox
Gracie Baum
Evan J. Hernandez
Brendan J. MacKay
author_sort Yaw Adu
collection DOAJ
description BackgroundTendon repairs often result in adhesion formation which can cause persisting functional deficits. Close proximity of healing tissues increases friction during tendon excursion, often leading to tendon tethering postoperatively. Despite continued improvements in techniques for tendon repairs, there is currently no consensus on the most effective modality to reduce adhesion formation. The VersaWrap Tendon Protector is a bioresorbable hydrogel that is FDA-cleared for use in tendon repair by separating healing tendons from surrounding tissues and improving tendon gliding. We conducted a study to assess the efficacy of VersaWrap in improving clinical outcomes related to adhesions and tethering in tendon repairs involving the hand.Materials & methodsAge, sex, injury type, mechanism of injury, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, active and passive range of motion (ROM), percent return to normal function, and patient-reported outcomes forms (QuickDASH) were collected at baseline and routine follow up visits. Functional outcomes were classified according to Strickland and Glogovac grading system.Results90 patients were included, with an average age of 39.8 years and a 44% female gender. The most common mechanism of injury was sharp laceration, and the majority of repairs involved the extensor mechanism (58.8% extensor, 35.3% flexor, 5.8% both). At a mean follow-up of 4.6 months, the mean active and passive ROM was 88.8% and 94.3%, respectively. Mean percent return of function was 87.7%. Good or Excellent functional outcomes were achieved in 92.3% of patients – 70.5% Excellent, 21.8% Good, 6.4% Fair, 1.3% Poor. The average QuickDASH score was 30.7, and the average final VAS pain score was 1.3.ConclusionsTendon repairs and tenolysis procedures often result in reduced functionality due to impeded tendon gliding, and there is currently no consensus on optimal treatment to prevent tethering to surrounding tissues. The VersaWrap Tendon Protector creates a gelatinous layer between the tendon and surrounding soft tissue to improve gliding resistance, thereby limiting tendon sheath adhesions. Our data suggests that VersaWrap may be a useful adjunct in preventing tendon tethering adhesion post-repair.
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spelling doaj-art-dad4d1b039da45e0b883eadbc506b3c42025-08-20T01:56:24ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Surgery2296-875X2024-12-011110.3389/fsurg.2024.14475151447515Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairsYaw AduJustin HarderCameron CoxGracie BaumEvan J. HernandezBrendan J. MacKayBackgroundTendon repairs often result in adhesion formation which can cause persisting functional deficits. Close proximity of healing tissues increases friction during tendon excursion, often leading to tendon tethering postoperatively. Despite continued improvements in techniques for tendon repairs, there is currently no consensus on the most effective modality to reduce adhesion formation. The VersaWrap Tendon Protector is a bioresorbable hydrogel that is FDA-cleared for use in tendon repair by separating healing tendons from surrounding tissues and improving tendon gliding. We conducted a study to assess the efficacy of VersaWrap in improving clinical outcomes related to adhesions and tethering in tendon repairs involving the hand.Materials & methodsAge, sex, injury type, mechanism of injury, visual analogue scale (VAS) pain scores, active and passive range of motion (ROM), percent return to normal function, and patient-reported outcomes forms (QuickDASH) were collected at baseline and routine follow up visits. Functional outcomes were classified according to Strickland and Glogovac grading system.Results90 patients were included, with an average age of 39.8 years and a 44% female gender. The most common mechanism of injury was sharp laceration, and the majority of repairs involved the extensor mechanism (58.8% extensor, 35.3% flexor, 5.8% both). At a mean follow-up of 4.6 months, the mean active and passive ROM was 88.8% and 94.3%, respectively. Mean percent return of function was 87.7%. Good or Excellent functional outcomes were achieved in 92.3% of patients – 70.5% Excellent, 21.8% Good, 6.4% Fair, 1.3% Poor. The average QuickDASH score was 30.7, and the average final VAS pain score was 1.3.ConclusionsTendon repairs and tenolysis procedures often result in reduced functionality due to impeded tendon gliding, and there is currently no consensus on optimal treatment to prevent tethering to surrounding tissues. The VersaWrap Tendon Protector creates a gelatinous layer between the tendon and surrounding soft tissue to improve gliding resistance, thereby limiting tendon sheath adhesions. Our data suggests that VersaWrap may be a useful adjunct in preventing tendon tethering adhesion post-repair.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2024.1447515/fulltendonoperative tendon repairstendon protectorbioresorbable hydrogel sheetVersaWrap
spellingShingle Yaw Adu
Justin Harder
Cameron Cox
Gracie Baum
Evan J. Hernandez
Brendan J. MacKay
Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
Frontiers in Surgery
tendon
operative tendon repairs
tendon protector
bioresorbable hydrogel sheet
VersaWrap
title Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
title_full Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
title_fullStr Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
title_short Evaluating the effect of VersaWrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
title_sort evaluating the effect of versawrap tendon protector on functional outcomes in operative tendon repairs
topic tendon
operative tendon repairs
tendon protector
bioresorbable hydrogel sheet
VersaWrap
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fsurg.2024.1447515/full
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AT cameroncox evaluatingtheeffectofversawraptendonprotectoronfunctionaloutcomesinoperativetendonrepairs
AT graciebaum evaluatingtheeffectofversawraptendonprotectoronfunctionaloutcomesinoperativetendonrepairs
AT evanjhernandez evaluatingtheeffectofversawraptendonprotectoronfunctionaloutcomesinoperativetendonrepairs
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