[Morphometric study of collagen fibers during healing following partial and complete section of extensor tendons in rats].

In order to study the influence of severity of tendon injury on the morphology of collagen fibers during healing process of extensor tendons, 40 female Wistal rats were used for investigation. The rats were divided into 2 groups. Transection of the tendon of extensor digitorum longus was performed in one group, while partial section of the same tendon was performed in the other group. Morphometric analysis was undertaken on the 15th, 30th, 60th and 90th day after operation. The result was that there was no significant difference between the two groups both in distribution and diameter of collagen fibers on the 15th and 30th days (P > 0.05). However, there was significent difference between those on the 60th and 90th days (P < 0.05). It was concluded that the severity of the tendon injury could influence the morphology of collagen fibers during the late stage of tendon healing.