471 SPECIFIC FACTORS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH FAILURE OF MENISCUS SUTURE REPAIR

Abstract

adult dog model, two 5-mm longitudinal tears were created in the avascular portion of the medial meniscus. Each tear was treated with one BioDuct® implant placed at the tear site (n=10), followed by suture repair. After 16 weeks, both knees were assessed for gross pathology, articular cartilage damage (India ink staining), and repair tissue appearance. Limbs were processed for 3T MRI and histologic examination (n=4) or biomechanical evaluation (n=6). MRI evaluation utilized a water-sensitive, moderate echo time fast spin echo protocol previously applied clinically, with a resolution of 175 μm by 187.5 μm by 1.2 mm. Meniscal healing was made based on the presence or absence of fluid inhibition into the repair site as well as any discernible fragmentation. Results: In vitro, the PLLA and 85/15 materials did not lose mass throughout the study. The 50/50 and 10/90 samples began to lose mass after 3 and 1 week, respectively and were almost completely degraded by 7 weeks. The inherent viscosity of the materials decreased more rapidly with increasing PGA content. The 3-point bend and crush strength properties of the implants were found to decrease with time, with the exception of PLLA.