[Animal experiment studies on the topic of regeneration of the synovial membrane following synovectomy of flexor tendons in the so-called no man's land].

Tenosynovectomy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis is performed most commonly in the region of the wrist and the ankle. Complications with regard to gliding ability and rupture of the flexor tendons are feared in the so-called no-man's land. The goal of this study was the morphologic examination of the regeneration of synovial membrane in flexor tendons after radical tenosynovectomy. Chronological and qualitative changes of the membrane as well as possible negative effects on the tendon such as adhesions and trophic disturbances were of interest. Synovectomies of flexor tendons were performed in 27 Albino rabbits in the region of the wrist. The synovium and the flexor tendons were histologically examined with light microscope and with scanning electron microscope at intervals between two days and 19 weeks. According to our results a new, fully functioning synovial membrane develops after four weeks. The flexor tendons show no pathologic changes and no adhesions as long as the visceral sheet around the flexor tendon remains undamaged.