BIOMECHANICS OF A NEW TECHNIQUE FOR FLEXOR TENDON TENORRAPHY OF THE HAND

Abstract INTRODUCTION The present study compares ultimate tensile strength, gap strength (2, 4, 6 mm), distortion time and breaking time in a new flexor tendon suture, to a conventional technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS The flexor digitorum profundus tendons of 40 porcine forelimbs were repaired. The biomechanical analysis was carried out in a universal testing machine applying a constant speed. Tenotomy gap, the force applied and the rupture point were analysed. RESULTS The ultimate tensile strength, and 4 and 6 mm gap strength were significantly higher with the new technique compared with the conventional 4-strand cruciate technique. CONCLUSIONS The new technique is a higher provider of repair strength during early active mobilization when compared with the conventional 4-strand cruciate technique. These findings suggest that this new suture can be considered a biomechanically favourable technique for the repair of flexor tendon lacerations.