Journal List > J Korean Soc Surg Hand > v.21(4) > 1106536

Lee, Kim, Oh, Park, Shin, and Jung: Biomechanical Analysis of Resorbable Barbed Suture Tenorrhaphy

Abstract

Purpose:

To evaluate the tensile strength and repair-site profile of a technique of resorbable barbed suture tenorrhaphy.

Methods:

Forty-eight flexor digitorum profundus tendons were collected from the 8 adult cadavers. In the test group, the tendons were sutured using absorbent 2-0 barb knotless sutures in a 2-strand or 4-strand zig-zag pattern. In the control group, 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 polydioxanone (PDS) were used to suture the tendons using the 2-stand Modified Kessler method and the 4-strand cruciate suture method. Using a tensile force measurement machine, the breaking load (N) and the stiffness (N/mm) were measured. The types of rupture were categorized into suture breaking, knot rupture, and pullout.

Results:

In the comparative analysis between the absorbent 2-0 Quill (Angiotech Pharmaceuticals, Canada) suture that used the 2-strand core suture and the 3-0 PDS and 2-0 Prolene sutures, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 26.83±7.47 N, and 21.96±6.78 N and 17.20±4.93 N for the 2-0 Prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. In the comparison using the 4-strand core suture, the average breaking load for the 2-0 Quill suture was 62.50±13.34 N, and 22.35±5.72 N and 18.67±4.27 N for the 2-0 prolene and 3-0 PDS sutures. The most common type of rupture were knot rupture.

Conclusion:

For flexor tendon sutures using the absorbent barb sutures, compared to the conventional 2-0 Prolene or 3-0 PDS sutures, absorbent barbed sutures have a higher tensile strength.

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Fig. 1.
Test machine for the (A) wire strength test and (B) suture strength test.
jkssh-21-198f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Graph of break load and extension. PDS, polydioxanone.
jkssh-21-198f2.tif
Fig. 3.
(A) 2-strand and (B) 4-strand barbed suture technique.
jkssh-21-198f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Analysis of results. The panel shows (A) suture break, (B) knot rupture, and (C) pullout, respectively.
jkssh-21-198f4.tif
Fig. 5.
Load of failure in 2-strand tenorrhaphy. NS, not significant; PDS, polydioxanone. A p<0.05 was considered significant.
jkssh-21-198f5.tif
Fig. 6.
Load of failure in 4-strand tenorrhaphy. S, not significant; PDS, polydioxanone. A p<0.05 was considered significant.
jkssh-21-198f6.tif
Table 1.
Load of failure in 2-strand tenorrhaphy
Wire Suture Sample no. 1st Failure load (N)
Quill 2-0 2S 12 26.83±7.47
PDS 3-0 2S 6 17.20±4.93
Prolene 2-0 2S 6 21.96±6.78

PDS, polydioxanone.

Table 2.
Load of failure in 4-strand tenorrhaphy
Wire Suture Sample no. 1st Failure load (N)
Quill 2-0 4S 12 62.50±13.34
PDS 3-0 4S 6 18.67±4.27
Prolene 2-0 4S 6 22.35±5.72

PDS, polydioxanone.

Table 3.
Mode of failure
Rupture type Barbed Unbarbed
Suture break 23/24 3/24
Knot rupture None 11/24
Pullout 1/24 10/24
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