Suture Tape With Broad Full-Width Core Versus Traditional Round Suture With Round Core: A Mechanical Comparison

Abstract

Purpose: To compare the inherent mechanical properties of suture in tape configuration with a flat, evenly distributed core to a round suture with a round core composed of the same materials.

Methods: SutureTape and FiberWire composed of equivalent materials were used to tie surgical knots. Knot height was measured. Knot security was measured at the maximum load at 1, 2, and 3 mm of displacement and at failure. Tensile strength and stiffness were measured using untied samples.

Results: SutureTape demonstrated superior knot security with greater ultimate load to failure (327.2 ± 15.4 N vs 257.4 ± 12.2 N; P = .002), maximum load at 1 mm of displacement (149.8 ± 18.6 N vs 108.8 ± 13.8 N; P = .001), and 2 mm of displacement (242.7 ± 38.6 N vs 181.2 ± 24.4 N; P = .008). It also demonstrated greater stiffness (5.4 ± 0.3 N/mm vs 2.8 ± 0.3 N/mm; P < .001) and tensile strength (378.8 ± 13.6 N vs 235.6 ± 4.8 N). Knot height differences (1.27 ± .11 mm vs 1.37 ± .08 mm; P = .110) and load at 3 mm of displacement (279.3 ± 42.4 N vs 225.5 ± 46.1 N; P = .062) were not statistically significant.

Conclusions: During mechanical testing, SutureTape with a broad core distributed over the full width of the tape demonstrated greater knot security, ultimate load to failure, and tensile stiffness than FiberWire, a round core suture. We found no significant difference in knot stack height between the suture designs.

Clinical relevance: The study demonstrates the superior mechanical properties of suture in tape configuration over similarly composed round suture without a significant difference in knot stack height. Suture in tape configuration has the potential to perform as well as round suture in the clinical setting.