Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of circumferential sutures on tensile and gap strength of repaired canine flexor tendons

  • Original Articles
  • Published:
Journal of Orthopaedic Science

Abstract

Sixty-four dog cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons in zone 2 were lacerated and repaired with a simple or a cross-stitch peripheral circumferential suture in combination with two-, four-, or six-strand core sutures. The tensile and gap strengths were compared. The range of tensile strengths with the cross-stitch circumferential suture in combination with various core suture techniques (4.28–9.37 kgf) was significantly higher than the range of values for the simple circumferential suture and similar core suture techniques (1.70–4.98kgf). The tensile strength with two-strand core suture plus the cross-stitch circumferential suture (5.29kgf) was as great as that of the six-strand core suture plus the simple circumferential suture (4.98kgf). Increased gap strength values were also observed with the cross-stitch (1.11–3.19 kgf) compared to the simple (0.84 to 1.76 kgf) circumferential sutures. The cross-stitch circumferential suture had a mechanical advantage in flexor tendon repair compared to the simple circumferential suture.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Aoki M, Manske PR, Pruitt DL, et al. Tendon repair using flexor tendon splints: An experimental study. J Hand Surg [Am] 1994;19:984–90.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Aoki M, Pruitt DL, Kubota H, et al. Effect of suture knots on tensile strength of repaired canine flexor tendons. J Hand Surg [Br] 1995;20:72–5.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Aoki M, Manske PR, Pruitt DL, et al. Work of flexion after tendon repair with various suture methods. A human cadaveric study. J Hand Surg [Br] 1995;20:310–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Aoki M, Manske PR, Pruitt DL, et al. Canine cadaveric study of flexor tendon, repair using tendon splint: Tensile strength and the work of flexion. J Jpn Orthop Assoc 1995;69:332–41.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Hitchcock, TF, Light TR, Bunch WH, et al. The effect of immediate constrained digital motion on the strength of flexor tendon repairs in chickens. J Hand Surg [Am] 1987;12:590–5.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Kessler I. The “grasping” technique for tendon repair. Hand 1973;5:253–5.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  7. Kubota H, Aoki M, Pruitt DL, et al. The tensile strength of various peripheral circumferential repair techniques in canine flexor tendons. J Orthop Sci 1996;1:136–9.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Kubota H, Manske PR, Aoki M, et al. Mechanical properties of various circumferential tendon suture techniques. J Hand Surg [Br] 1996;21:474–80.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  9. Leddy JP. Flexor tendons: Acute injuries. In: Green DP, editor. Operative hand surgery. 3rd ed. New York: Churchill Livingstone, 1993;1823–51.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Lee H. Double loop locking suture: A technique of tendon repair for early active mobilization. Part I: Evolution of technique and experimental study. J Hand Surg [Am] 1990;15:945–52.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Lin G-T, An K-N, Amadio PC, et al. Biomechanical studies of running suture for flexor tendon repair in dogs. J Hand Surg [Am] 1988;13:553–8.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Lister GD, Kleinert HE, Kutz JE, et al. Primary flexor tendon repair followed by immediate controlled mobilization. J Hand Surg 1977;2:441–51.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Messina A. The double armed suture: Tendon repair with immediate mobilization of the fingers. J Hand Surg [Am] 1992;17:137–42.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Noguchi M., Seiler JG III, Gelberman RH, et al. In vitro biomechanical, analysis of suture methods for flexor tendon repair. J Orthop Res 1993;11:603–11.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Pruitt DL, Manske PR, Fink B. Cyclic stress analysis of flexor tendon repair. J Hand Surg [Am] 1991;16:701–7.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Robertson GA, Al-Qattan MM. A biomechanical analysis of a new interlock suture technique for flexor tendon repair. J Hand Surg [Br] 1992;17:92–3.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Savage R. In vitro studies of a new method of flexor tendon repair. J Hand Surg [Br] 1985;10:135–41.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Schuind F, Garacia-Elias M, Cooney WP III et al Flexor tendon forces: In vivo measurements. J Hand Surg [Am] 1992;17:291–8.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Silfverskiöld KL, Andersson CH. Two new methods of tendon repair: An in vitro evaluation of tensile strength and gap formation. J Hand Surg [Am] 1993;18:58–65.

    Google Scholar 

  20. Silfverskiöld KL, May EJ. Flexor tendon repair in Zone II with a new suture technique and an early mobilization program combining passive and active flexion. J Hand Surg [Am] 1994;19:53–60.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Strickland JW. Flexor tendon injuries: I. Foundations of treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 1995;3:44–54.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Tajima T. History, current status, and aspects of hand surgery in Japan. Clin Orthop 1984;184:41–9.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Tera H, Åberg C. Tensile strengths of twelve types of knot employed in surgery, using different suture materials. Acta Chir Scand 1976;142:1–7.

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  24. Tsuge K, Ikuta Y, Matsuishi Y. Repair of flexor tendons by intratendinous tendon suture. J Hand Surg 1977;2:436–40.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, 3-1-1 Maidashi, Higashi-ku, 812-82, Fukuoka, Japan

    Hideaki Kubota, Shunsuke Hotokezaka & Yoichi Sugioka

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Washington University School of Medicine, Barnes Hospital Plaza, Suite 11300, West Pavilion, 63100, St. Louis, MO, USA

    Donald L. Pruitt & Paul R. Manske

Authors
  1. Hideaki Kubota
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Shunsuke Hotokezaka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Donald L. Pruitt
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Paul R. Manske
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Yoichi Sugioka
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Additional information

No benefits in any form have been received or will be received from any commercial party related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.

This study was supported in part by Grant No. 15953 from the Shriner's hospital for Crippled Children (USA)

About this article

Cite this article

Kubota, H., Hotokezaka, S., Pruitt, D.L. et al. Effect of circumferential sutures on tensile and gap strength of repaired canine flexor tendons. J Orthop Sci 2, 114–118 (1997). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489522

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02489522

Key words

Search

Navigation