Biomechanical comparison of the four-strand cruciate and Strickland techniques in animal tendons.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study was to compare two four-strand techniques: the traditional Strickland and cruciate techniques.


METHODS
Thirty-eight Achilles tendons were removed from 19 rabbits and were assigned to two groups based on suture technique (Group 1, Strickland suture; Group 2, cruciate repair). The sutured tendons were subjected to constant progressive distraction using a universal testing machine (Kratos®). Based on data from the instrument, which were synchronized with the visualized gap at the suture site and at the time of suture rupture, the following data were obtained: maximum load to rupture, maximum deformation or gap, time elapsed until failure, and stiffness.


RESULTS
In the statistical analysis, the data were parametric and unpaired, and by Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, the sample distribution was normal. By Student's t-test, there was no significant difference in any of the data: the cruciate repair sutures had slightly better mean stiffness, and the Strickland sutures had longer time-elapsed suture ruptures and higher average maximum deformation.


CONCLUSIONS
The cruciate and Strickland techniques for flexor tendon sutures have similar mechanical characteristics in vitro.
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Raquel Bernardelli
RB
Iamaguchi
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
William
W
Villani
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Marcelo Rosa
MR
Rezende
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Teng Hsiang
TH
Wei
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Alvaro B
AB
Cho
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Gustavo Bispo dos
GB
Santos
Institute of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de São Paulo, São PauloSP, Brazil.
Rames
R
Mattar
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D011817:Rabbits; D012016:Reference Values; D012421:Rupture; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000601:surgery*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D013997:Time Factors