title: Mechanical characteristics of four allograft tendon-to-muscle anastomotic techniques.
abstract: Four methods of allograft tendon-to-muscle anastomosis were tested in single cycle distraction to failure using 10 anastomosed ovine calcaneal tendon-biceps brachii units. The tendon-muscle units were compared to intact ovine biceps brachii muscle units. Methods of tendon-to-muscle anastomosis were derived from modifications of existing muscle tendon repair and tenorrhaphy techniques. Load to failure (N), stiffness (N/cm), distraction (cm), and modes of failure were recorded. Of the four methods tested, the side-to-side technique demonstrated the highest load to failure (152.1 N), the greatest stiffness (17.6 N/cm), the least distraction (2.99 cm) before failure, and the least amount of muscle tissue trauma at failure. Results indicate that, of the methods tested, the side-to-side technique offers the greatest initial stability and should therefore allow adequate revascularization and healing of the anastomosis site.
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Kansas State University, Manhattan 66506-5606, USA.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Olsen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gottsauner-Wolf
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Giurea
mesh_terms: D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical / Q000379:methods; D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002111:Calcaneus; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D005260:Female; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000601:surgery*; D012756:Sheep; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous