title: All monofilament knots assume sliding conformation in vivo.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Surgeons are not always cognizant of the knots they tie. It has been thought that suture material does not determine what types of knots are tied.
  
  
  METHODS
  Experienced surgeons were asked to tie square monofilament knots that were salvaged and microscopically evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tightly cinched monofilament knots assume sliding conformation in vivo regardless of configuration, instrumentation, suture polymer, or surgeon.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  When monofilament suture is securely cinched in vivo, kinetic energy forces even a flat throw into sliding conformation. A well-crafted, intentionally sliding square knot appears compacter than any other monofilament knot.
authors: Department of Dermatology, University of Arkansas for the Medical Sciences, Little Rock, Arkansas 72205, USA. davisdaniela@uams.edu
authors: Daniel A
authors: DA
authors: Davis
authors: Donna M
authors: DM
authors: Pellowski
authors: Eric J
authors: EJ
authors: Rawdon
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures