title: The suture loop holding capacity of flexor digitorum profundus tendon within and outside the digital tendon sheath.
abstract: In a previous study we found that the strength of a Kessler core suture in the flexor tendon was greater in flexor zone 2 than in zone 3. To further investigate the material properties of the flexor tendon without the influence of a locking suture configuration, we measured the ultimate strength of a simple loop suture in the flexor digitorum profundus tendon in zones 1, 2, and 3. Eight cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons were tested in 10 mm increments with a 3-0 polyester suture loop pull-out test in the mid-substance of the tendon. The mean strength in zones 1 and 2 (26.7 N, SD 5.6) was significantly higher than the mean strength in zone 3 (17.7 N, SD 5.4). We conclude that the difference is owing to variations of the structure of the flexor tendon in different sections of the tendon, as the suture configuration was a simple loop without a locking or grasping component.
authors: Division of Hand and Microsurgery, Department of Trauma, Musculoskeletal Surgery and Rehabilitation, Tampere University Hospital, FI-33521 TAYS, Tampere, Finland. jouni.havulinna@kolumbus.fi
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Havulinna
authors: O V
authors: OV
authors: Leppänen
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Göransson
mesh_terms: D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005385:Fingers / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D011091:Polyesters; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters
keywords: Flexor tendon; biomechanical testing; porcine tendon; tendon surgery