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Changes in Tendon Strength After Partial Cut and Effects of Running Peripheral SuturesFrom the Department of Hand Surgery, Hand Surgery Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College, Nantong, Jiangsu, China Correspondence: Professor Jin Bo Tang, Department of Hand Surgery, Hand Surgery Research Center, Affiliated Hospital of Nantong Medical College, 20 West Temple Road, Nantong 226001, Jiangsu, China. Tel.: +86-513-5119524; Fax: +86-513-5110966; E-mail: hsrc{at}pub.nt.jsinfo.net We performed a study to evaluate the tensile properties of partial tendon lacerations and the effects of peripheral sutures on the tendon strength. Seventy-two fresh pig flexor digitorum profundus tendons were divided equally into eight groups. Tendons in four of the groups were subjected to partial lacerations (60%, 70%, 80%, and 90%) and were not repaired. In the other four similar groups partial lacerations were repaired with running peripheral sutures. The tendons were subjected to load-to-failure tests in an Instron tensile machine to determine the initial, 1 mm, 2 mm gap formation forces and the ultimate strength. The tendons with lacerations of 80% and 90% had a remarkably lower tensile strength than those 60% and 70% lacerations. Running peripheral sutures increased the gap formation forces and the ultimate strength of all the tendons, though particularly those with 80% and 90% lacerations.
Key Words: flexor tendon • repair strength • partial lacerations • gap formation • peripheral sutures
Journal of Hand Surgery (British and European Volume), Vol. 28, No. 5,
478-482 (2003) |
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