Effect of the cross-sectional area of locking loops in flexor tendon repair.
An experimental study was performed using human cadaver flexor tendons to determine whether the size of the cross-sectional area encompassed by the locking loop suture configuration affected the biomechanical properties of tendon repair. Increasing the cross-sectional area of the locking loops from 10% to 50% resulted in a proportionate increase in the ultimate tensile strength of the repair and a small increased propensity for gapping. Overlapping the 2 locking loops without increasing the total cross-sectional area increased the propensity for gapping without increasing the ultimate strength.
Hatanaka
H
H
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
Manske
P R
PR
D002102:Cadaver; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength
C014534:Ethibond; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates