title: An implantable sensor device measuring suture tension dynamics: results of developmental and experimental work.
abstract: Knowledge about suture tension dynamics after laparotomy closure is limited due to the lack of adequate measurement tools. As a consequence, a miniaturized implantable sensor and data logger were developed and applied experimentally in a porcine model to measure suture tension dynamics after laparotomy closure.
  
  
  
  We developed an implantable device (6 × 3 × 1 mm) fitted with silicon strain gauges and an implantable data logger allowing long-term registration. In nine domestic pigs, sensors and loggers were implanted along the suture closing a median laparotomy registering suture tension over a period of 23 h.
  
  
  
  Fascial closure was achieved by a mean suture tension of 1.07 N. After 30 minutes, suture tension was reduced to 0.81N (-24.3 %, p = 0.0003). After 12 h, tension showed a further decrease to 0.69 N (-35.5 %, n.s.), after 23 h mean suture tension reached 0.56 N, (-47.7 %, p = 0.014).
  
  
  
  The aim to develop an implantable miniaturized sensor device registering long-term suture tension dynamics was achieved. The use in the animal experiment was feasible and safe. We observed a loss of almost 50 % of suture tension 23 h after fascial closure. This could mean that up to 50 % of initial suture tension may be an unnecessary surplus not contributing to tissue stability but to the risk of suture failure.
authors.affiliation: B. Braun Melsungen AG, Melsungen, Germany.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Schachtrupp
authors.affiliation: Fachhochschule Bielefeld, Campus Minden, Fachbereich Technik, Bielefeld, Germany.
authors.forename: O
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wetter
authors.affiliation: Klinik für Allgemein- und Viszeralchirurgie, Hochtaunus Kliniken Bad Homburg, Zeppelinstrasse 20, 61352, Bad Homburg, Germany. joerg.hoeer@hochtaunus-kliniken.de.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Höer
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted; D005205:Fascia / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007813:Laparotomy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D000072836:Surgical Wound / Q000503:physiopathology*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D013537:Sutures; D013552:Swine
keywords: Abdominal closure; Implantable sensor; Incisional hernia; Laparotomy; Suture tension