In vitro comparison of the locking loop and continuous cruciate suture patterns

This study was undertaken to test a new suture pattern. Tenorrhaphy was per formed on 23 pairs of canine deep gluteal tendons. One tendon in each pair was repaired using a locking loop suture pattern while the other was repair ed using a novel continuous cruciate pattern. The tendons were distracted i n a mechanical testing apparatus at a rate of 50 cm/min. Strength at failur e, energy absorbed at failure, and mode of failure were recorded and compar ed. The continuous cruciate pattern was stronger at failure and absorbed gr eater energy at failure than the locking loop pattern. This study indicated that the continuous cruciate pattern can be used clinically with the knowl edge that its strength characteristics exceed those of the locking loop pat tern.