Biomechanical evaluation on tendon reinsertion by comparing trans-osseous suture and suture anchor at different stages of healing: experimental study on rabbits.
BACKGROUND
Through an experimental biomechanical study on rabbits, tendon reinsertion by means of trans-osseous suture on a spongy bone bed and suture anchor were evaluated comparatively at different phases of healing.


METHODS
Twenty-four New Zealand White rabbits were used: 2 as pilots, 4 as the control group, and 18 as the experimental group. These 18 animals underwent sectioning and reinsertion of the Achilles tendon bilaterally, using the technique of trans-osseous suture on 1 side and suture anchor on the other. All the pelvic limbs that underwent the procedure were then immobilized for 3 weeks. The experimental group was divided into 3 groups that were sacrificed, respectively, 3, 6, and 12 weeks later. The tendon-bone complex was subjected to biomechanical tests to evaluate the parameters of maximum strength, stiffness, and yield strength.


RESULTS
There was no statistically significant difference between the suture anchor group and the trans-osseous suture group, in relation to yield strength (3 weeks, P = .222; 6 weeks, P = .465; and 12 weeks, P = .200) or maximum strength (3 weeks, P = .222; 6 weeks, P = .076; and 12 weeks, P = .078). In relation to stiffness, the suture anchor group showed a statistically significant difference only at 3 weeks of healing (P = .032) over the trans-osseous suture group.


CONCLUSIONS
The technique of suturing with an anchor was shown to be similar to the technique of trans-osseous suture for the studied parameters.
Barros
Rogério Meira
RM
Santa Casa de Misericórdia da Bahia, Hospital Santa Izabel and Escola Baiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
Matos
Marcos Almeida
MA
Ferreira Neto
Arnaldo Amado
AA
Benegas
Eduardo
E
Guarniero
Roberto
R
Pereira
Cesar Augusto Martins
CA
Bolliger Neto
Raul
R
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006811:Humerus / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011817:Rabbits; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular / Q000502:physiology*; D012086:Reoperation; D017006:Rotator Cuff / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D000070636:Rotator Cuff Injuries; D000070599:Shoulder Injuries; D012785:Shoulder Joint / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D053441:Suture Anchors; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*