Number of suture throws and its impact on the biomechanical properties of the four-strand cruciate locked flexor tendon repair with FiberWire

J Hand Surg Eur Vol. 2012 Nov;37(9):826-31. doi: 10.1177/1753193412447503. Epub 2012 May 22.

Abstract

FiberWire is a popular suture in flexor tendon repair that allows for early mobilization, but its poor knot-holding properties have raised concerns over the potential effects on tendon healing and strength. We examined how the number of knot throws affects the 2 mm gap force, ultimate tensile strength, and mode of failure in a four-strand cruciate locked tendon repair in porcine flexor tendons in order to elucidate the optimal number of suture throws. There was no effect on the 2 mm gap force with increasing knot throws, but there was a significant increase in ultimate tensile strength. A minimum of six-knot throws prevents unravelling, whereas five out of 10 of repairs unravelled with less than six throws.

MeSH terms

  • Analysis of Variance
  • Animals
  • Biomechanical Phenomena
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Forelimb
  • Materials Testing
  • Suture Techniques*
  • Sutures*
  • Swine
  • Tendons / surgery*
  • Tensile Strength