title: Tensile fixation strengths of absorbable meniscal repair devices as a function of hydrolysis time. An in vitro experimental study.
abstract: To determine the effect of hydrolysis time on the fixation strength of absorbable meniscal repair devices, adult bovine menisci were repaired with five devices and a suture. The ultimate tensile strength of the repair was then tested in six specimens immediately or after 6, 12, or 24 weeks of incubation at 37 degrees C in a saline solution containing antibiotics, antimycotics, and protease inhibitors. Immediately after implantation the Bionx Meniscus Arrow had a significantly higher failure strength (57.7 +/- 13.8 N) than the Linvatec BioStinger (35.1 +/- 6.7 N), the Innovasive Clearfix screw (34.9 +/- 13 N), the Surgical Dynamics S-D-sorb staple (9.4 +/- 4.6 N), and the Mitek Meniscal Repair System (polydioxanone) (27.2 +/- 6.0 N). However, there was no significant difference between the Bionx Meniscus Arrow and a 2-0 polydioxanone vertical suture (51.6 +/- 2.7 N). The polydioxanone-based implants demonstrated a significant decrease in failure strength at 12 and 24 weeks. Similarly, the Surgical Dynamics S-D-sorb staple lost all fixation strength by 24 weeks. The remaining devices showed no significant loss of failure strength over the 24-week period, suggesting that 24 weeks of hydrolysis does not adversely affect the ultimate holding power of poly L-lactide-based meniscal fixation devices.
authors: The Laboratory for Comparative Orthopaedic Research, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michigan State University, East Lansing 48824, USA.
authors: S P
authors: SP
authors: Arnoczky
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Lavagnino
mesh_terms: D020341:Absorbable Implants; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000737:chemistry*; D002417:Cattle; D006868:Hydrolysis; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008592:Menisci, Tibial / Q000601:surgery*; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D011091:Polyesters / Q000737:chemistry; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D011091:Polyesters