Biomechanical Analysis of Three Flexor Tendon Suture Techniques

Abstract：Objective To perform biomechanical analysis of three flexor tendon suture techniques.Methods A total of 24 porcine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were harvested and randomly divided into 3 groups.The tendons were transversely cut and then repaired using 3 different techniques including Modified Kessler suture,Interlock Stitch Ten-don suture and Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture.All of them were combined with running suture.The time required for suturing was recorded and compared among the groups.The 2 mm gap load,the ultimate failure load and the gap at fail-ure were compared.Results Results showed that,in comparison with Modified Kessler suture,Interlock Stitch Tendon suture and Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture could significantly improve the 2 mm gap load and the ultimate failure load of tendon repair.The 2 mm gap load was not significantly different between Interlock Stitch Tendon suture(58.8±8.1)N and Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture(53.7±6.0)N.The ultimate failure load of Interlock Stitch Tendon suture(72.7±6. 0)N was greater than Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture(60.4±6.6)N,while Modified Kessler suture(46.5±4.5)N was the lowest.The gap at failure was the largest in Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture(8.5±1.3)mm.The time spent in per-forming Modified Kessler suture(11.1±1.4)min was shorter than in performing Interlock Stitch Tendon suture(15.4± 1.1)min and Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture (15.8±0.9)min.Conclusion In comparison with Modified Kessler suture and Semi Kessler-Loop lock suture,Interlock Stitch Tendon suture can remarkably improve the biomechanical proper-ties of tendon repair and effectively prevent gap formation,which could be useful in clinical applications.