Ka. Barrie et al., A biomechanical comparison of multistrand flexor tendon repairs using an in situ testing model, J HAND S-AM, 25A(3), 2000, pp. 499-506
An in situ testing model was used to evaluate the performance of zone II fl
exor tendon repairs and to compare the biomechanical properties of 4-strand
repairs with 2- and 6-strand repairs. Fifty digits from human cadaveric ha
nds were mounted in a custom apparatus for in situ tensile testing. Intrate
ndinous metallic markers were placed so that gap formation could be determi
ned by fluoroscopy during tensile testing. Three 4-strand repairs (the 4-st
rand Kessler, the cruciate, and a locked modification of the cruciate repai
r) were compared with the 2-strand Kessler and the 6-strand Savage repairs.
Ultimate tensile strength, load at 2-, 3-, and 4-mm gap formation, and wor
k of flexion were determined. Work of flexion, while increased for the mult
istrand repairs, did not show a statistically significant correlation with
the number of strands crossing the repair site. The tensile strength of the
6-strand repair was significantly greater than each of the 2 or 4-strand r
epairs. The tensile strength of all 4-strand repairs was significantly grea
ter than the 2-strand repair. The 6-strand repair and the 2 cruciate repair
s demonstrated a statistically increased resistance to gap formation compar
ed with the 2-strand Kessler repair, but notably there was no statistically
significant difference in gap resistance between the 2- and 4-strand Kessl
er repairs. This in situ tensile testing protocol demonstrated that 4- and
6-strand repairs have adequate initial strength to withstand the projected
forces of early active motion protocols. Three of the 4 multistrand repairs
demonstrated improved gap resistance compared with the 2-strand repair. Th
e presence of the second suture in the Kessler configuration significantly
increases its strength bur not its gap resistance. (J Hand Surg 2000;25A:49
9-506. Copyright (C) 2000 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand.)
.