title: Some biomechanical considerations in microsutures.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to measure the biomechanical performance for commercially available microsutures, nylon polypropylene, polyester, and polyglactin 910. The biomechanical performance was determined by reproducible, biomechanical parameters that included stiffness, elasticity, resistance to creep, secure knot construction, and knot breaking strength. On the basis of these comprehensive studies, the handling characteristics of the nylon microsutures were judged to be superior over the other microsutures. Knot security was achieved with a three-throw square (1 = 1 = 1) knot that allowed a preview of the ultimate apposition of the divided tissue. In addition, nylon microsutures were more supple than the other microsutures. The breaking strength of the knotted nylon microsutures was comparable with those of the knotted polyglactin 910 and polyester microsutures, and significantly greater than that of the knotted polypropylene sutures. Its resistance to creep was significantly greater than that of the polypropylene microsutures but less than those of polyglactin 910 and polyester microsutures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic Surgery, University of Virginia School of Medicine, Charlottesville 22908.
authors.forename: B H
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Van Meter
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Thacker
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Rodeheaver
authors.forename: R F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Edlich
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004548:Elasticity; D006244:Hardness; D011091:Polyesters; D011098:Polyglactin 910; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011126:Polypropylenes; D011098:Polyglactin 910