Comparison of mechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride and polypropylene monofilament sutures used for flexor tendon repair

We performed an experimental study to evaluate the mechanical properties of polyvinylidene fluoride sutures and to compare their use with that of stan dard polypropylene sutures for the circumferential, epitendinous suture of a flexor tendon repair. Polyvinylidene fluoride sutures had a smaller sutur e diameter, a greater knot pup strength and less delayed extension when und er creep testing, than polypropylene sutures. Tendons repaired using polyvi nylidene fluoride sutures had significantly greater gap and breaking streng ths than those repaired using polypropylene sutures.