title: Biomechanical evaluation on tendon reinsertion by comparing trans-osseous suture and suture anchor at different stages of healing: experimental study on rabbits.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Santa Casa de Misericórdia da Bahia, Hospital Santa Izabel and Escola Baiana de Medicina e Saúde Pública, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil.
authors.forename: Rogério Meira
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Barros
authors.forename: Marcos Almeida
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Matos
authors.forename: Arnaldo Amado
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Ferreira Neto
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Benegas
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Guarniero
authors.forename: Cesar Augusto Martins
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Raul
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bolliger Neto
mesh_terms: 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*