Biomechanical Properties of a New Multilocking Loop Peripheral Suture Technique for the Repair of Flexor Tendons

Abstract

We aimed to evaluate the biomechanical properties of a new multilocking loop peripheral suture technique. For this aim, 40-deep digital flexor tendons of adult male sheep front limb were divided and then repaired using one of the following methods: simple peripheral suture plus 2- or 4-strand Kessler core suture or a new multilocking loop peripheral suture combined with either 2- or 4-strand Kessler core suture. Intact tendons were used as controls. The following biomechanical parameters were tested: ultimate tensile strength, energy to failure, 2-mm gap formation force, stiffness, and mechanism of failure. Regardless of the number of core suture strands, the new technique resulted in greater ultimate tensile strength, energy to failure, 2-mm gap formation force, and stiffness values, compared with simple running peripheral suture. In conclusion, the new multilocking loop peripheral suture technique represents a biomechanically strong and technically suitable method for flexor tendon repair.