Biomechanical evaluation of a crimp clamp system for loop fixation of monofilament nylon leader material used for stabilization of the canine stifle joint.
OBJECTIVE
To test a crimp clamp system designed to secure monofilament nylon leader (MNL) material commonly used as lateral fabellotibial sutures (LFS) in extra-articular stabilization of the canine stifle joint.


METHODS
In vitro biomechanical tests of MNL loops secured with either the crimp clamp system or knots were performed. Suture loops (n = 94) were created from 27.3 kg tensile strength MNL and fastened with knots or crimp clamps. Tests were conducted on steam-sterilized, ethylene-oxide-sterilized, and nonsterilized MNL sutures. Loops were evaluated in single load tests and cycled tests. Values for load to failure, initial loop tension, loop elongation, mode of failure, and point of failure were determined.


RESULTS
Crimp-clamped loops were superior to knotted loops in all parameters tested in both cycled and noncycled tests. Loop failure generally occurred by breaking within 3 mm of the fixation in both clamped and knotted tests. Loop elongation after cycling was greater in the knotted loops compared with clamped loops (P < .001). Load to failure was greater in clamped tests than in knotted tests (P < .001), regardless of sterilization technique used. Significantly higher initial loop tension could be achieved with the clamp system compared with knot fixation (P < .001).


CONCLUSIONS
The crimp clamp system provides superior in vitro loop fixation characteristics compared with knot fixation in 27.3 kg test MNL.


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the results of biomechanical testing and the known biocompatibility of the system's implant components, clinical trials using the crimp clamp system are warranted.
Anderson
C C
CC
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri-Columbia, 65211, USA.
Tomlinson
J L
JL
Daly
W R
WR
Carson
W L
WL
Payne
J T
JT
Wagner-Mann
C C
CC
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004202:Disinfectants; D004285:Dogs / Q000601:surgery*; D005027:Ethylene Oxide; D009757:Nylons / Q000592:standards*; D013193:Stainless Steel / Q000592:standards; D013227:Steam; D013242:Sterilization; D013264:Stifle / Q000601:surgery*; D013537:Sutures / Q000592:standards / Q000662:veterinary*; D013718:Tensile Strength
D004202:Disinfectants; D009757:Nylons; D013227:Steam; D013193:Stainless Steel; D005027:Ethylene Oxide