title: Effect of the cross-sectional area of locking loops in flexor tendon repair.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hatanaka
authors.forename: P R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Manske
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006225:Hand / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: C014534:Ethibond; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates