Feasibility Study of Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose in Hydrogel Membrane to Prevent The Adhesion of Postrepaired of Achilles' Tendon in Rat

Abstract
Postoperative adhesion between the surgical tendon and the synovial sheath is prone to occur after tendon-repair surgery. Clinically, a commercial hydrogel barrier, which is composed of hyaluronan (HA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used to prevent the occurrence of adhesion. In this study, hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC) and gellan gum (GA, superior gel forming component) were used to prepare hydrogel membranes. The properties and capability of prepared membranes to prevent adhesion of post-repaired Achilles tendon in rat were evaluated. The membrane containing HPMC exhibited better hydrophilicity, higher stress strength and strain, slow degradation rate as compared with the membranes with CMC and the commercial membrane. Prepared membranes were wrapped around repaired tendons and the adhesion of the tendons was examined grossly and histologically after 3 weeks of healing. The membrane with HPMC reduced tendon adhesion and with higher tendon strength compared with the membrane with CMC and commercial product. The designed membrane swelled rapidly and blanketed onto the tendon tissue more readily and closely than others. The slow degradation rate which allowed the membrane to function as barrier for extended periods. Keywords - Hydroxypropyl Methyl Cellulose, Hydrogel Membrane, Anti-Adhesion, Tendon