The effect of suture technique on adhesion formation after flexor tendon repair for partial lacerations in a canine model.
BACKGROUND
Adhesion formation is a serious problem after flexor tendon repair. Many repair techniques have been developed to increase the suture strength after tendon repair surgery. The purpose of this study was to assess adhesion formation with different suture techniques in an in vivo canine model.


METHODS
Sixty flexor digitorum profundus tendons were partially lacerated (80%) and repaired with either a modified Kessler (MK) or Becker (MGH) suture technique and supplemented with a simple running suture. The dogs were sacrificed at 1 week, 3 weeks, or 6 weeks after surgery and the repaired tendons were evaluated for adhesion breaking strength.


RESULTS
At 1 week there was no significant difference between the two repair groups (p > 0.05). At 3 and 6 weeks, the adhesion breaking strength in the MK suture group was significantly less than that of the MGH suture group (p < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
High friction suture techniques may cause more adhesion formation than the lower friction suture techniques under passive postoperative therapy.
Zhao
C
C
Orthopedic Biomechanics Laboratory, Mayo Clinic/Mayo Foundation, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
Amadio
P C
PC
Momose
T
T
Couvreur
P
P
Zobitz
M E
ME
An
K N
KN
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D000818:Animals; D004285:Dogs; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D000267:Tissue Adhesions / Q000209:etiology*