A review on the use of porcine in tendon research

Abstract

Purpose of review: Large animals have been increasingly employed in tendon research; the objective of this review was to summarize the employment of porcine in tendon research.

Recent findings: Literature before 2022-03-31 was searched using the following strategy: (pig[MeSH Terms]) AND (tendon[MeSH Terms]); (pig[MeSH Terms]) AND (tendon[title]); (tendon[MeSH Terms]) AND (porcine[title]); (tendon[title]) AND (porcine[title]); (tendon[MeSH Terms]) AND (pig[title]); (tendon[title]) AND (pig[title]); (tendon[MeSH Terms]) AND (swine[title]); (tendon[title]) AND (swine[title]). 296 studies were included in this review. There were wide application areas of porcine tendon, including tissue engineering tendons, training of surgical skills. Porcine tendon was used both in in vitro studies, such as anatomy, biomechanics, cytology, and material science as well as in in vivo studies. The research techniques of porcine tendon are relatively common.

Summary: In conclusion, pigs have been widely used as a good animal model of tendon research. However, the limitations of porcine tendon research (the lack of anatomical research and in vivo studies) should be given more attention in future studies.

Keywords: Animal model; Porcine; Tendon.