Using Q Suture to Enhance Resistance to Gap Formation and Tensile Strength of Repaired Flexor Tendons

Summary

Here, we present a “Q” suture technique that can be performed in tendon repair and its effects on the gap formation and tensile strength of the repaired tendons. Q suture is shown to be efficient in enhancing the tensile resistance and tendon repair strength.

Abstract

Peripheral epitendinous sutures are believed to enhance core suture strength in tendon repair and decrease the risk of gapping between tendon ends. Here Q suture, an alternative to peripheral sutures, is presented for the use in tendon repair. Its effects on gap formation and tensile strength of the repaired tendons were compared with conventional running peripheral sutures. Three 2-strand sutures and three 4-strand sutures were used in repairing porcine tendons. The time required for performing 2Q and running sutures were recorded. The repaired tendons were subjected to a cyclic loading test, and the cycle number, during which a 2-mm gap was formed, was determined. After the cyclic loading, the gap size at the tendon ends and the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons were measured. Augmentation with the Q sutures reduced the number of tendons showing 2-mm gaps at tendon ends during cyclic loading. With addition of Q sutures 2-strand sutures significantly increased the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons and 4-strand sutures decreased the gap distance at the repair site of tendons. The time required for performing 2Q sutures was significantly less than that for running sutures. Therefore, we conclude that the Q suture is efficient in enhancing the tensile resistance and tendon repair strength and can be an alternative to conventional peripheral sutures.

Introduction

Gap formation at tendon repair site affects tendon repair strength and gliding resistance substantially. The consequences of gapping between tendon ends may ultimately impede tendon healing in vivo¹. It has been reported that the presence of a gap larger than 2 mm at the repair site lead to a significant increase in the gliding resistance of repaired intrasynovial tendon in cadaveric hands². A study in a canine model has shown that a gap size larger than 3 mm would impair the tendon healing strength and stiffness³. Therefore, improving resistance and decreasing the risk of gapping between tendon e....

Protocol

All experimental procedures described were approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animals of the Nantong University. Thirty porcine tendons were repaired with three 2-strand repairs: 2-strand core suture, 2-strand core suture plus 2Q, and 2-strand core suture plus running peripheral sutures. The other 30 porcine tendons were repaired with three 4 strand repairs: 4-strand core suture, 4-strand core suture plus 2Q, and 4-strand core suture plus running peripheral sutures.

1. Preparation of porcine tendons

1. Purchase fresh adult pig hind-leg trotters from a slaughtering house. Remove the skin and subcutaneous tissue....

Results

Table 1 shows that addition of Q suture reduced the number of tendons with 2-mm gapping during cyclic loading in both 2-strand and 4-strand repairs. All tendons repaired with 2-strand and 4-strand core sutures formed a 2-mm gap, whereas none of the tendons repaired with 2-strand plus 2Q and only half of those repaired with 4-strand plus 2Q had a 2-mm gapping after 10 cycles. More tendons repaired with 2-strand plus running or 4-strand plus running sutures showed a 2-mm gap than those augmented with Q sut.......

Discussion

The results of the current study showed that Q suture not only reduced the gapping and improves tensile strength of the repaired tendons but was also timesaving and labor-saving. Nonetheless, some key points regarding tendon repair in the current study should be noted.

First, we tried to select tendon samples that were similar in shape and size because we were not sure whether tendon size would have a notable impact on tensile strength after repair. In addition, tendon samples can be preserved.......

Materials

List of materials used in this article

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
4-0 suture	Ethicon, Somerville, NJ	Ethilon 1667
6-0 suture	Ethicon, Somerville, NJ	Ethilon 689
biomechanical testing machine	Instron Corp, Norwood, MA	Instron 3365
biomechanical testing software	Instron Corp, Norwood, MA	Bluehill 2