Objective To investigate the biomechanical properties of embedded cross-stitch suture and its preliminary application for extensor tendon repair in zone Ⅶ. Methods Thirty-three fresh porcine extensor tendons were randomly divided into 3 groups and repaired with cross-stitch, embedded cross-stitch or Halsted suture method respectively. The tendons were subjected to an Instron tensile testing machine to test 2-mm gap formation force, ultimate strength, stiffness and energy to failure. Embedded cross-stitch was performed for repairing extensor tendons in zone V~ of 56 fingers. Protected passive and active motion protocol was used in each case after operation. Strickland TAM classification was applied to evaluate the function postoperatively. Results Under linear tension mode, embedded cross-stitch was superior to cross-stitch and Halsted method with its 2-mm gap formation force at (49.2±5.6) N, ultimate strength at (68.3±6.3) N, Stiffness at (6.9±0.7) N/mm, and energy to failure at (0.79±0.07) J (P〈0.05). Patients were followed up for 26 months, no tendon rupture was observed in any of the repaired fingers. Strickland TAM classification showed excellent in 50 fingers, good in 4 fingers, fair in 2 fingers, and the total good rate was 96.4%. Conclusion Embedded cross-stitch suture employs strong biomechanical characters with fewer suture exposure, which can fulfill the requirements for early motion protocol. Therefore, it is suggested for extensor tendon repair.
ZHOU Shengbo,MAO Hailei,YANG Xi,XU Qiming,WANG Yue,JIANG Yongkang,WANG Bin
. Biomechanical Analysis of Embedded Cross-stitch Suture and Its Application on Extensor Tendon Repair in Zone Ⅶ[J]. Journal of Tissue Engineering and Reconstructive Surgery, 2015
, 11(3)
: 174
-177
.
DOI: 10.3969/j.issn.1673-0364.2015.03.016