Abstract
Although all of the tendinous structures can be injured, the digital flexor tendons are commonly affected. The goals of tendon surgical reconstruction are to provide a strong anastomosis site, re-establish normal vascularization, restore the tendon microanatomy, functional length and minimize formation of restrictive adhesions that adversely affect the gliding function of the injured tendons. Various techniques of digital flexors tenorrhaphy have been described; either by different suture pattern, prosthetic materials, natural bio-absorbable materials, tendon transplantation and tendon shielding. This review highlights the recent assessment of different techniques used for digital flexors tenorrhaphy in equine and evaluation of the extent and quality of the digital flexor tendons healing and case prognosis after these surgical manoeuvres by ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), biomechanical properties and histopathological examinations. It could be concluded that the use of preserved bio-absorbable augmentation devices either glycerolized bovine pericardium (GBP) xenograft, allograft and allograft shielding with GBP were a good alternative technique accelerating digital flexor tendons repair with restoring their biomechanical properties. Ultrasonography and MRI have provided accurate methods in monitoring the status of healing progression after tenorrhaphy in equine.