The Effect of Pentoxifylline and Hyperbaric Oxygen on Achilles Osteotendinous Junction İnjury: An experimental animal model study.

Background: To investigate the effects of hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) and pentoxifylline (PTX) treatment on osteotendinous junction healing of Achilles tendon in an animal model.

Materials And Methods: Thirty-six adult female Wistar-albino rats were randomly divided into three groups as control, PTX and HBO groups with a total of 12 rats per group. Under general anesthesia, the Achilles tendons were cut at the level of the osteotendinous junction and repaired. After the surgery, no treatment was given to the control group. Fifty mg/kg intraperitoneal PTX was administered to the PTX group daily for 1 week. The HBO group was exposed to 2,5 atmospheric pressure, 100% oxygen for 2 hours daily for 1 week. All animals were sacrificed at the end of sixth week. Biomechanical tests and histological examinations were performed.

Results: Energy absorption was significantly higher in the PTX group than that in the control group after biomechanical tests (p=0.010). Histopathological evaluation results revealed no difference between the groups: however, hyalinization level was relatively better in the HBO group than that in the control group (p=0.026).

Conclusions: 1. We concluded that PTX has a positive effect on the treatment of osteotendinous junction injuries based on our results. 2. Although HBO therapy did not provide statistically significant differences, it might have some positive effects on these injuries. 3. Further experimental studies and clinical trials should be conducted.