Mechanical properties of four suture patterns for transected equine tendon repair.
Thirty-six superficial digital flexor tendons from nine fresh equine cadavers were transected and sutured with size 2 monofilament nylon. Nine tendons were repaired with each of four suture patterns: single-locking loop, double-locking loop, triple-locking loop, or three-loop pulley. The times required for application, tensile strengths, resistance to distraction (gap), and modes of failure were analyzed. The mean times required were: single-locking loop, 3 mins, 15 secs; double-locking loop, 4 mins, 15 secs; triple-locking loop, 10 mins, 50 secs; and three-loop pulley, 4 mins. The double-locking loop, triple-locking loop, and three-loop pulley suture patterns were stronger than the single-locking loop. The triple-locking loop and three-loop pulley patterns were close in strength and only the triple-locking loop was stronger than the double-locking loop. The three-loop pulley had the greatest resistance to gap formation and its mode of failure was different from the others. The three-locking loop suture patterns failed by suture breakage but the three-loop pulley failed first by suture pull-out and then by suture breakage.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins.
K J
KJ
Easley
T S
TS
Stashak
F W
FW
Smith
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G
Van Slyke
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D005552:Forelimb; D006614:Hindlimb; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength