title: Cutting or round-bodied needles for tendon repair.
abstract: We carried out a biomechanical study comparing tensile strength after using round-bodied or cutting needles for tendon repair. Swine tendons were repaired in three groups: Group 1 core suture repair only; group 2 core and circumferential suture repair; and group 3 isolated circumferential suture repair. The tendons were tested at longitudinal stress to failure at 5mm/minute. No significant differences were found between the round-bodied and cutting needles in any group. Equal numbers in the core suture repair group failed by suture pullout when comparing cutting and round-bodied needles. We conclude that the choice of needle has no effect on the outcome of tendon repair if there is consistency of surgeon's skill and experience.
authors.affiliation: Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Castle Hill Hospital, West Yorkshire, UK. weeleon@yahoo.com
authors.forename: W L
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Lam
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Garrido
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vandermeulen
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Fagan
authors.forename: P R W
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Stanley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D009339:Needles; D011126:Polypropylenes; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D013552:Swine; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D011126:Polypropylenes