Flexor tendon repair using a stainless steel external splint - Biomechanical study on human cadaver flexor tendons

A stainless steel external tendon splint,vas used in repair of cadaver tend ons and compared with standard tendon repairs with suture, The splint was c ombined with a Kessler repair and tested against the Kessler, Becker, and S avage repairs in fresh human cadaver flexor digitorum profundus tendons. Bi omechanical testing was done on a tensile testing machine, and load-displac ement curves mere generated. The repairs using the external tendon splint d emonstrated a range of improvement of 32 to 146% in mean maximal tensile st rength and a 20 to 185% improvement of mean ultimate tensile strength compa red with all other repairs. The external tendon splint is relatively easy t o apply to a tendon. The repair is strengthened and becomes capable of with standing early active range of motion excercises. In vivo testing will be n eeded to assess the potential clinical usefulness of such a device.