title: Tensile characteristics of PTFE sutures.
abstract: The tensile strength load to failure and knotting characteristics of the six gauges of a new PTFE suture have been studied. In its unstressed state, the suture comprises 50% by volume of air but this diminishes upon stretching so that its diameter appears to be very large and the tensile strength low. The low surface-surface friction necessitates fairly complex knotting regimens (3 = 1 = 3 = 2 or 3 = 1 = 3 = 3) to ensure stable knot configurations, i.e. failure of the loop before knot failure. However, the relatively simple 2 = 1 = 1 = 1 configuration was found to have an adequate tensile strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Louisville, KY 40292.
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Hertweck
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: von Fraunhofer
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Masterson
mesh_terms: D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011138:Polytetrafluoroethylene