Biomechanical testing of a novel tendon implant device for the repair of equine flexor tendon lacerations.
OBJECTIVE
To compare in vitro strength and failure characteristics of a tendon implant against a 3 loop pulley suture pattern for equine superficial digital flexor tendon (SDFT) laceration repair.


METHODS
Experimental.


METHODS
Cadaveric equine forelimb SDFT (n = 16).


METHODS
One tendon of each of 8 pair of SDFT was randomly selected for repair with either the 3-loop pulley (3LP) suture pattern using 2 polydioxanone or with 4 stainless steel suture and anchor implants (SA). Ultimate load to failure, mode of failure, gap at failure, and load to 2 mm gap were obtained using a materials testing system synchronized with a high-speed camera. Statistical evaluation was made using Student's t-test; significance was set at P ≤ .05.


RESULTS
The 3LP failed at a significantly (P = .0001) greater load (363.5 ± 83.7 N) than SA (132.4 ± 26.8 N), but the load to a 2 mm gap (3LP = 164.9 ± 67.7 N, SA = 114.5 ± 21.5 N) was not significantly different (P = .09). Failure mode was by suture pull out and anchor pull out respectively. The gap at failure was significantly larger in the 3LP than in SA repair (P = .000005).


CONCLUSIONS
Both the SA repair and the 3LP resisted similar tension to 2 mm gap. However, the ultimate load to failure of the SA repair was only 36% that of the 3LP repair.
Department of Clinical Sciences, J.T. Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
Elizabeth J
EJ
Barrett
Amelia S
AS
Munsterman
R Reid
RR
Hanson
Robert L
RL
Jackson
D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D002102:Cadaver; D005552:Forelimb / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000662:veterinary*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*