Biomechanical comparison of the simple running and cross-stitch epitenon sutures in achilles tendon repairs.
BACKGROUND
Augmenting the strength of Achilles tendon repairs may allow for earlier active rehabilitation with less risk of adhesion formation and re-ruptures, leading to quicker and stronger healing. Building upon previous research that has (1) demonstrated strength gains in Achilles repairs upon addition of simple running epitenon sutures, and (2) shown the cross-stitch epitenon suture to be stronger than the simple running stitch in flexor tendons of the hand, this study compares use of these epitenon sutures in the Achilles tendon.


METHODS
Ruptures were simulated in 7 matched pairs of fresh frozen human Achilles tendons and repaired with the two-tailed Krakow locking loop core technique using No. 2 nonabsorbable, braided, polyester suture. From each pair, one specimen was randomly selected to also receive the epitenon cross-stitch, the other receiving the simple running stitch. All epitenon repairs employed 4-0 nylon suture. Repaired tendons were loaded in tension to the point of failure on a Materials Testing Machine (MTS).


RESULTS
Tendon repair augmented with the cross-stitch displayed a significant, 53% greater failure strength than those repaired with the simple running stitch. Increases in initial stiffness and resistance to 2-mm gap formation in the cross-stitch specimens were 3.1% and 3.6%, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Gapping resistance and initial stiffness in Achilles tendon repairs were comparable between the cross-stitch and simple running stitch, but the cross-stitch significantly improved failure strength.


CONCLUSIONS
Greater failure strength may translate clinically to lower rates of re-rupture and earlier mobilization following Achilles tendon repair.
Department of Human Biology, Stanford University, Palo Alto, CA, USA.
Michelle E
ME
Shepard
Derek P
DP
Lindsey
Loretta B
LB
Chou
D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D009757:Nylons; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates; D012421:Rupture / Q000601:surgery; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013718:Tensile Strength
C014534:Ethibond; D009757:Nylons; D011093:Polyethylene Terephthalates