Null-homotopic knots have Property R

Abstract

AbstractWe prove that if K is a nontrivial null-homotopic knot in a closed oriented 3–manfiold Y such that $Y-K$ does not have an $S^1\times S^2$ summand, then the zero surgery on K does not have an $S^1\times S^2$ summand. This generalises a result of Hom and Lidman, who proved the case when Y is an irreducible rational homology sphere.