title: A comparison of holding strength of various surgical clips.
abstract: Due to advances in clip design, new types of surgical ligation clips are available that may reduce clip failure and improve function, especially for 5-mm clip appliers. We tested a preformed spring clip based on a 5-mm applier against other commonly used clips from 5- and 10-mm multiloading clip appliers. Five different clips were compared using a digital force gauge to test perpendicular pulloff force after application to tubing of varying thickness and compliance. The average pull-off force for commonly used 5-mm and 10-mm clip appliers was 0.29 +/- 0.06 and 0.35 +/- 0.05 kg, respectively. Average pull-off force for the new preformed spring clip was 0.53 +/- 0.07 kg (p <0.0001). The new clip technology has significantly higher pull-off force than other currently used clips. This may be particularly beneficial in procedures requiring 5-mm clip appliers, which are known to place clips with lower holding force.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tufts-New England Medical Center, Box 1047, 750 Washington Street, Boston, MA 02111, USA.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Riskin
authors.forename: S D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Schwaitzberg
mesh_terms: D004868:Equipment Failure; D008422:Materials Testing; D013525:Surgical Instruments