Flexor tendon repair using a stainless steel external splint. Biomechanical study on human cadaver flexor tendons.
A stainless steel external tendon splint was used in repair of cadaver tendons and compared with standard tendon repairs with suture. The splint was combined with a Kessler repair and tested against the Kessler, Becker, and Savage repairs in fresh human cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Biomechanical testing was done on a tensile testing machine, and load-displacement curves were generated. The repairs using the external tendon splint demonstrated a range of improvement of 32 to 146% in mean maximal tensile strength and a 20 to 185% improvement of mean ultimate tensile strength compared with all other repairs. The external tendon splint is relatively easy to apply to a tendon. The repair is strengthened and becomes capable of withstanding early active range of motion exercises. In vivo testing will be needed to assess the potential clinical usefulness of such a device.
Gordon
L
L
Department of Orthopedic Surgery, California Medical Center, San Francisco, USA. lghand@aol.com
Dysarz
F A
FA
Venkateswara
K T
KT
Mok
A P
AP
Ritchie
R O
RO
Rabinowitz
S
S
D005383:Finger Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D009985:Orthopedics / Q000379:methods; D013165:Splints; D013193:Stainless Steel; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology; D013718:Tensile Strength
D013193:Stainless Steel