Human Tendon Allografts Research Articles

Effect of hydrogen peroxide on human tendon allograft

Bacterial contamination of tendon allografts at the completion of processing has historically been about 2%, with tendons that are found to be culture positive being discarded. Treatment of tendon allograft with hydrogen peroxide at the beginning of tissue processing may reduce bacterial contamination, however, the potential side effects of hydrogen peroxide treatment include hydrolysis of the collagen and this may alter the mechanical properties of the graft. Pairs of human tendons were used. One was washed in 3% hydrogen peroxide for 5min and the untreated tendon was used as a control. The ultimate tensile strength of the tendons was determined using a material testing machine. A freeze clamp technique was used to hold the tendons securely at the high loads required to cause tendon failure. There was no statistical difference in the ultimate tensile strength between the treated and untreated tendons. Mean strength ranged from Extensor Hallucis Longus at 588 Newtons to Tibialis Posterior at 2,366 Newtons. Hydrogen peroxide washing may reduce bacterial contamination of tendon allograft and does not affect the strength of the tendon.

Comparison of human tendon allografts and autografts used in knee reconstruction

Comparison of human tendon allografts and autografts used in knee reconstruction

Biomechanical Comparison of the Bioabsorbable RetroScrew System, BioScrew XtraLok with Stress Equalization Tensioner, and 35-mm Delta Screws for Tibialis Anterior Graft-Tibial Tunnel Fixation in Porcine Tibiae

Background Achieving effective soft tissue graft-tibial tunnel fixation remains problematic. Hypothesis No differences would exist for tibialis anterior graft-tibial tunnel fixation when comparing the RetroScrew System (20-mm retrograde screw, 17-mm antegrade screw), the 35-mm tapered Delta Screw (manual tensioning), and the 35-mm BioScrew XtraLok (applied using an instrumented tensioner). Study Design Controlled laboratory study. Methods Porcine tibiae (apparent bone mineral density, 1.3 g/cm2) and human tendon allografts were divided into 3 matched groups of 6 specimens each before cyclic (500 cycles, 50-250 N, 1 Hz) and load-to-failure (20 mm/min) tests. Results The BioScrew XtraLok (210.9 ± 54.9 N/mm) and the 35-mm Delta Screw (224.3 ± 43.7 N/mm) displayed superior stiffness to the RetroScrew System (114.1 ± 23.3 N/mm) (P =. 0004) during cyclic testing. The BioScrew XtraLok (1.0 ± 0.2 mm) and the Delta Screw (0.9 ± 0.2 mm) also displayed less displacement during cyclic testing than the RetroScrew System (1.8 ± 0.5 mm) (P =. 001). During load-to-failure testing, the BioScrew XtraLok withstood greater loads (1436.3 ± 331.3 N) (P =. 001) and displayed greater stiffness (323.6 ± 56.8 N/mm) (P =. 002) than the 35-mm Delta Screw (load, 1042.2 ± 214.4 N; stiffness, 257.2 ± 22.2 N/mm) and the RetroScrew System (load, 778.7 ± 177.5 N; stiffness, 204.4 ± 52.9 N/mm). Conclusion The BioScrew XtraLok with instrumented tensioning displayed superior fixation to the RetroScrew System and the 35-mm Delta Screw applied with manual tensioning. Clinical Relevance The BioScrew XtraLok may provide superior soft tissue graft-tibial tunnel fixation. Further in vitro studies using human tissue and in vivo clinical studies are needed.