title: Vein grafts to augment flexor tendon repairs: a biomechanical study on strength and gap resistance.
abstract: The ultimate tensile repair strength and gap formation of the pig extensor tendons repaired with a standard 4-strand Savage with epitendinous suture repair, was compared with a new technique of adding a vein sleeve. Force and displacement data were recorded, and video images during linear cyclic loading up to failure. At 35 N, video-graphic observation detected significantly smaller gap lengths in the standard and vein repair specimens compared with standard repair specimens (p = 0.047). The incidence of 3 mm gaps between the repaired tendon ends in the standard repair group was 20 %, but no 3 mm gaps were seen in the standard and vein specimens. The addition of a vein sleeve increased the ultimate tensile strength of the standard repair from 50.4 N (4.5) to 55.4 N (4.5); this was statistically significant (p = 0.03). This study demonstrated that the addition of a vein graft prevented gap formation and increased ultimate tensile strength of tendon repair.
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK mike.rodger@doctors.org.uk.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Rodger
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Theobald
authors.affiliation: Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Giddins
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D008866:Microsurgery / Q000379:methods; D023421:Models, Animal; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013552:Swine; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013710:Tendons / Q000637:transplantation*; D013718:Tensile Strength; D014680:Veins / Q000637:transplantation*
keywords: Tendon; augment; cyclic loading; fibroblast; repair; sleeve; vein