EFFECT OF A NEW REPAIR TECHNIQUE ON BIOMECHANICAL PROPERTIES OF CANINE FLEXOR TENDONS — IN VITRO STUDY

Abstract

A new repair technique that was easy to perform yet offered adequate strength was developed. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the mechanical properties of flexor tendon repairs undertaken with this technique. Thirty-two canine cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons in Zone 2 were lacerated and repaired with the technique, which consisted of a four-strand core suture using the double-modified Kessler method in combination with a cross-stitch circumferential suture. A 5–0 coated braided polyester suture and a 5–0 ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene suture were used as the core suture, and a 6–0 polypropylene monofilament was used as the circumferential suture. Tendons repaired with the 5–0 braided polyester suture had gap strengths (2.07 ± 0.46 kgf) and breaking strengths (6.03 ± 0.55 kgf), which were sufficient to withstand an early active mobilization protocol. There were no significant differences regarding mechanical properties between the two suture materials. This combined suture technique has the potential to be utilized in in vivo cases.