title: Ex-Vivo Evaluation of a Modified Teno Fix(®) Device Repair Pattern Versus a 3-Loop Pulley for Repair of Equine Flexor Tendons.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the load to ultimate failure, load to a 2 mm gap, mode of failure, and gap at failure (mm) of the Teno Fix(®) (TF) to the 3-loop pulley (3LP) for repair of equine tendon lacerations. The use of 4TF devices versus 5TF devices on load to ultimate failure and load to a 2 mm gap was also compared.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ex vivo biomechanical study; unbalanced incomplete block (horse) design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cadaveric equine forelimb superficial digital flexor tendon (n = 20 paired tendons).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ten tendon pairs were selected randomly and repaired with a 3LP and 4TF pattern, and 10 tendon pairs repaired with a 3LP and 5TF pattern. Load to ultimate failure, load to a 2 mm gap, mode of failure, and gap at failure were obtained using materials testing.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 3LP had a significantly greater ultimate load to failure (P < .001, respectively) and a significantly higher load to a 2 mm gap than both TF repairs (P < .001, respectively). The most frequent mode of failure was suture pull-out for the 3LP and anchor pull-out for the TF. Gap at failure was significantly larger in the 3LP than both TF repairs (P < .001). The ultimate load to failure was significantly higher for the 5TF than the 4TF (P = .004) but there was no significant difference in load to a 2 mm gap, or gap at failure between both TF repairs (P = .11, P = .15, respectively).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Neither TF repair was stronger than the 3LP in load to ultimate failure and load to a 2 mm gap. Addition of a fifth TF device significantly increased the load to ultimate failure but did effect the load to a 2 mm gap over the 4TF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: Mattie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: McMaster
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: Amelia S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Munsterman
authors.affiliation: School of Kinesiology, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: Wendi H
authors.initials: WH
authors.lastname: Weimar
authors.affiliation: Hagyard Equine Medical Institute, Lexington, Kentucky.
authors.forename: Elizabeth J
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Barrett
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Sciences, JT Vaughan Large Animal Teaching Hospital, Auburn University, Auburn, Alabama.
authors.forename: R Reid
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Hanson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002102:Cadaver; D005260:Female; D005552:Forelimb / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery; D006736:Horses / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D022125:Lacerations / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000662:veterinary*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000662:veterinary*