title: Providing quantitative feedback when teaching tendon repair: a new tool.
abstract: Flexor tendon repair remains one of the more difficult technical tasks facing the hand surgeon. A good repair must be both strong and able to glide smoothly through the tendon sheath. The purpose of this study is to present a model that allows surgeons to improve their technique of flexor tendon repair by receiving feedback on these important biomechanical parameters. The set-up requires testing equipment found in most biomechanical laboratories and should be available in many academic medical centres. Preliminary data suggest that receiving feedback about the strength and smoothness of a flexor tendon repair may be a very useful tool in helping surgeons improve the overall quality of their tendon repair technique.
authors.affiliation: Biomechanics Laboratory, Division of Orthopedic Research, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Berschback
authors.forename: P C
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Amadio
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Zobitz
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: An
mesh_terms: D013502:General Surgery / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007721:Knowledge of Results, Psychological; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery; D013537:Sutures; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D013708:Tendon Injuries; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014159:Transducers