A Biomechanical Comparison of 3 Loop Suture Materials in a 6-Strand Flexor Tendon Repair Technique

Flexor tendon repair remains one of the more difficult technical tasks facing the hand surgeon. A good repair must be both strong and able to glide smoothly through the tendon sheath. The purpose of this study is to present a model that allows surgeons to improve their technique of flexor tendon repair by receiving feedback on these important biomechanical parameters. The set-up requires testing equipment found in most biomechanical laboratories and should be available in many academic medical centres. Preliminary data suggest that receiving feedback about the strength and smoothness of a flexor tendon repair may be a very useful tool in helping surgeons improve the overall quality of their tendon repair technique.

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A Knotless Flexor Tendon Repair Technique Using a Bidirectional Barbed Suture

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery ◽

10.1097/01.prs.0000388768.94275.66 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 126 ◽

pp. 46-47 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

W. Thomas McClellan ◽

Matthew J. Schessler ◽

David S. Ruch ◽

L. Scott Levin ◽

Richard D. Goldner

Keyword(s):

Flexor Tendon ◽

Tendon Repair ◽

Barbed Suture ◽

Flexor Tendon Repair ◽

Repair Technique

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Stress Relaxation and Creep: Viscoelastic Properties of Common Suture Materials Used for Flexor Tendon Repair

Yearbook of Hand and Upper Limb Surgery ◽

10.1016/s1551-7977(09)79169-1 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 2009 ◽

pp. 175-176

Author(s):

S.K. Lee

Keyword(s):

Stress Relaxation ◽

Viscoelastic Properties ◽

Flexor Tendon ◽

Tendon Repair ◽

Suture Materials ◽

Flexor Tendon Repair ◽

Materials Used

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Influence of Core Suture Material and Peripheral Repair Technique on the Strength of Kessler Flexor Tendon Repair

Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume) ◽

10.1016/s0266-7681(03)00080-9 ◽

2003 ◽

Vol 28 (4) ◽

pp. 357-362 ◽

Cited By ~ 46

Author(s):

V. MISHRA ◽

J. H. KUIPER ◽

C. P. KELLY

Keyword(s):

Cyclic Loading ◽

Suture Material ◽

Flexor Tendon ◽

Tendon Repair ◽

Flexor Tendon Repair ◽

Flexor Tendons ◽

Repair Technique ◽

Nylon Suture ◽

Load To Failure ◽

The Cross

The purpose of our study was to determine the most favourable combination of core suture material and peripheral repair technique for Kessler tendon repair. Thirty freshly thawed pig flexor tendons were repaired by a Kessler technique, either with braided polyester or monofilament nylon suture. A peripheral augmentation was done using one of the three techniques – running, cross-stitch and Halsted. All repairs were tested by cyclic loading, followed by load-to-failure. During cyclic loading six of the 15 tendons with a nylon core failed, but none with a braided polyester core. Irrespective of peripheral technique, the monofilament nylon core suture allowed early central cyclic gapping, resulting in failure of the repair. During load-to-failure testing, the running stitch proved weakest and the cross-stitch repair toughest.

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