Biomechanical study of a new four-bundle tendon suture technique

Abstract

Objective To compare the biomechanical characteristics of U-Tang + Halsted method and other ten flexor tendon repair methods.Methods Eighty-eight fresh adult pig flexor tendons were randomly divided into 11 groups,with 8 each.After these tendons were transected,they were repaired applying the following techniques:U-Tang +Cross Stitch ( UT + CS),U-Tang + Halsted( UT + H),U-Targ + Running Suture (UT + RS),Double Kessler + Cross Stitch (DK + CS),Double Kessler + Halsted(DK + H),Double Kessler + Running Suture (DK + RS),U-Tang(UT),Double Kessler (DK),Halsted (H),Cross Stitch (CS),Running Suture (RS).The load at 2 mm gap formation and maximum load were collected and statistically analyzed by ANOVA.Results For transverse injuries of tendons,the maximum load in UT + H method group,at (79.3 ± 7.6)N,was significantly higher than those of the other groups,while the load at 2 mm gap formation in DK+H method group,at(60.1±12.6) N,was significantly higher than those of the other groups.Conclusion The first six methods can endure early finger active mobilization.Of these,the UT + H methods has reliable and strong suture strength and can be a preferred method. Key words: Suture techniques; Biomechanics; Tendons