Biomechanical Analysis of Barbed Suture in Flexor Tendon Repair versus Conventional Method: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.
BACKGROUND
The barbed suture technique uses newly developed materials for flexor tendon repair. In this study, the authors examine the effectiveness of using barbed sutures in flexor tendon repair compared with conventional methods.


METHODS
A systematic literature review and meta-analysis was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane databases. Barbed suture and conventional suture methods were extracted as predictor variables, and maximum force, gap formation force, and cross-sectional area were extracted as outcome variables. Subgroup analyses were performed according to the source of suture materials and the number of strands. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of studies. Publication bias was evaluated using funnel plots.


RESULTS
The search strategy identified 86 publications. After screening, 12 articles were selected for review. Barbed sutures are comparable in effectiveness to conventional methods in terms of maximum force, gap formation force, and cross-sectional area. In the subgroup analysis, barbed sutures also have comparable effects to conventional methods in terms of maximum force and gap formation force.


CONCLUSIONS
The authors' meta-analysis found that the use of barbed sutures in flexor tendon repair was competitive compared to conventional methods in terms of maximum force and gap formation force. Long-term in vivo studies are needed to confirm these findings.


METHODS
Therapeutic, V.
Jeonju and Gwangmyeong, Korea.|From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Chonbuk National University; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kwang-Myung Sung-Ae General Hospital.
Jin Yong
JY
Shin
Jeonju and Gwangmyeong, Korea.|From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Chonbuk National University; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kwang-Myung Sung-Ae General Hospital.
Jin Soo
JS
Kim
Jeonju and Gwangmyeong, Korea.|From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Chonbuk National University; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kwang-Myung Sung-Ae General Hospital.
Si-Gyun
SG
Roh
Jeonju and Gwangmyeong, Korea.|From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Chonbuk National University; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kwang-Myung Sung-Ae General Hospital.
Nae-Ho
NH
Lee
Jeonju and Gwangmyeong, Korea.|From the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Medical School of Chonbuk National University; and the Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Kwang-Myung Sung-Ae General Hospital.
Kyung-Moo
KM
Yang
D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D006801:Humans; D013536:Suture Techniques / Q000295:instrumentation*; D013537:Sutures; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery*
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