Advances in the Development of Anti-Adhesive Biomaterials for Tendon Repair Treatment

BACKGROUND: Peritendinous adhesion that simultaneous with tendon healing link the healing tendon to the surrounding tissue. It results in functional disability, and has a significant adverse impact on health as well as social and economic development. METHODS: Based on a search in the PubMed and Web of Science database, the research articles were screened by their time, main idea, impact factor index, while the ones with no credibility were excluded. Afterwards, we go through the analysis of the reliability and characteristics of the results were further screened from selected articles. RESULTS: A total of 17 biomaterials used to evaluate the adhesion mechanism and the properties of the material were found. All of these biomaterials contained randomized controlled studies and detailed descriptions of surgical treatment that support the reliability of their results which indicates that biomaterials act as barriers to prevent the formation of adhesion, and most of them exhibit satisfactory biocompatibility, biodegradability or selective permeability. Moreover, a few had certain mechanical strength, anti-inflammatory, or carrier capacities. However, there still existed some defects, such as time, technology, clinical trials, material targeting and different measurement standards which also lowered the reliability of their results. CONCLUSION: In future, anti-adhesion biomaterials should focus on affordable raw materials with wide sources, and the production process should be simplified, in this way, the versatility and targeting of materials will be improved.