TENSILE STRENGTHS OF VARIOUS SUTURE TECHNIQUES

The tensile strengths of various suture techniques were studied in vit ro using rabbit Achilles' and flexor digitorum longus tendons. Two new suture methods, a Double and Triple (modified) Kessler, were compared with the Savage, Indiana and modified Kessler techniques. All were co re sutures without epitendinous sutures. All suture techniques were fo und to be significantly different for 2 mm (sf gap Formation, The stud y found the Savage technique strongest, followed by the Triple Messier , the Double Kessler, and finally the Indiana. The Double Kessler was almost twice as strong as the modified Kessler. This study also compar ed two four-stranded techniques (the Indiana and Double Kessler) and f ound the Double Kessler stronger. The Double Kessler is a simple yet s trong suture and may be useful for flexor tendon repairs.