BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION OF A CRIMP CLAMP SYSTEM FOR LOOP FIXATION OFMONOFILAMENT NYLON LEADER MATERIAL USED FOR STABILIZATION OF THE CANINE STIFLE JOINT

Objective-To test a crimp clamp system designed to secure monofilament nylon leader (MNL) material commonly used as lateral fabellotibial su tures (LFS) in extra-articular stabilization of the canine stifle join t. Study Design-In vitro biomechanical tests of MNL loops secured with either the crimp clamp system or knots were performed. Suture loops ( n = 94) were created from 27.3 kg tensile strength MNL and fastened wi th knots or crimp clamps. Tests were conducted on steam-sterilized, et hylene-oxide-sterilized, and nonsterilized MNL, sutures. Loops were ev aluated in single load tests and cycled tests. Values for load to fail ure, initial loop tension, loop elongation, mode of failure, and point of failure were determined. Results-Crimp-clamped loops were superior to knotted loops in all parameters tested in both cycled and noncycle d tests. Loop failure generally occurred by breaking within 3 mm of th e fixation in both clamped and knotted tests. Loop elongation after cy cling was greater in the knotted loops compared with clamped loops (P < .001). Load to failure was greater in clamped tests than in knotted tests (P < .001), regardless of sterilization technique used. Signific antly higher initial loop tension could be achieved with the clamp sys tem compared with knot fixation (P < .001). Conclusions-The crimp clam p system provides superior in vitro loop fixation characteristics comp ared with knot fixation in 27.3 kg test MNL. Clinical Relevance-Based on the results of biomechanical testing and the known biocompatibility of the system's implant components, clinical trials using the crimp c lamp system are warranted. (C) Copyright 1998 by The American College of Veterinary Surgeons.