Ex vivo mechanical testing of various suture patterns for use in tendon plating.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the influence of suture patterns on resistance to gap formation after tendon plating STUDY DESIGN: Ex vivo study SAMPLE POPULATION: Suspensory ligament and superficial and deep digital flexor tendons harvested from 16 neonatal cadaver foal limbs. METHODS: Each tendon/ligament from a given limb was randomly assigned to one of three treatment groups consisting of a 7-hole veterinary cuttable plate fixed with alternating simple interrupted, figure-8, or hybrid suture patterns. The constructs were distracted at a rate of 1.0&#x2009;mm/s to failure, as determined by the formation of a 1&#x2009;mm gap for initial failure and a 3&#x2009;mm gap for ultimate failure. The mode of failure was also recorded. RESULTS: Constructs prepared with hybrid and figure-8 patterns sustained over 2&#xd7; higher (p&#x2009;<&#x2009;.01) forces before gap formation compared to those prepared with a simple interrupted pattern. No difference was identified between tendons whose plate was secured with hybrid or figure-8 suture patterns. Mode of failure between groups did not differ. CONCLUSION: The figure-8 and hybrid patterns described herein improved the resistance to gap formation of plated tendons compared to an alternating simple interrupted pattern described previously. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Figure-8 and hybrid patterns should be considered over simple interrupted patterns to improve resistance to gap formation in horses undergoing tendon plating.