Symmetric Peripheral Running Sutures are Superior to Asymmetric Peripheral Running Sutures for Increasing the Tendon Strength in Flexor Tendon Repair.

Abstract

The fatigue strength of three peripheral suture techniques for flexor tendon repair was compared by cyclic loading of the repairs in the porcine flexor digitorum tendon. Thirty-six tendons were sutured using only peripheral sutures with 6-0 Nylon. An initial cyclic load of 10 N for 500 cycles was applied and increased by 10 N for an additional 500 cycles at each new load until rupture. The fatigue strength of the symmetric running peripheral suture was 85.0% and 144.8% greater than that of the two kinds of the asymmetric running peripheral sutures. Symmetric running sutures can enhance the suture strength and appears to be a useful technique for increasing the strength of the peripheral suture.