One of the most difficult problems on tendon surgery is adhesion formation during the process of tendon healing, which causes functional interference. This pathophysiologic pcocess is closely related to the ways of tendon nourishment and types of tendon healing. In order to understand whether the sutured tendon couldheal without blood circulation, the process and types of tendon healing in the synovial fluid were studied by in vivo culture modle. Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) segments from the front paw of 50 New Zedland white rabbits were cut inthe middle and sutured with microsurgical technique, and then, preserved in thesynovial cavitied of both knees of the rabbits. After 1, 2, 4, 6 weeks, the specimens from the synovial cavities were studied by gross observation, light microscope, scanning and transmission electron microscope, and biochemical determination. The results showed that the tendon which was nourished by synovial fluid not only could survive, but also could heal. Healing of the tendon was completed by activation and proliferation of both peritendon cells and cells in the tendon.The healing could be devided into 3 periods: malnutrition period (less than 1 week), reparative period (2-4 week) and rebuilding period (more than 4 week).
