Experimental study of two new flexor tendon suture techniques for postoperative early active flexion exercises

We used a rabbit model to test the postoperative mechanical strengths of tw o new tendon suture techniques. These were compared with the conventional m odified Kessler and double looped suture techniques, For each technique, ma ximum load until 3 mm gap, load at 1 mm gap and ultimate load were measured at the time of operation and at weeks I and 3 after operation, Maximum load until 3 mm gap and load at 1 mm gap,were significantly higher in the new techniques than in the conventional techniques at the time of op eration and at 1 week; there was no statistical difference between the four techniques at 3 weeks. No technique resulted in a decrease in maximum load until 3 mm gap, load at 1 mm gap and ultimate load at I week. The new techniques reported here have the potential to withstand early acti ve flexion exercises.