Experimental study of two new flexor tendon suture techniques for postoperative early active flexion exercises.

We used a rabbit model to test the postoperative mechanical strengths of two new tendon suture techniques. These were compared with the conventional modified Kessler and double looped suture techniques. For each technique, maximum load until 3 mm gap, load at 1 mm gap and ultimate load were measured at the time of operation and at weeks 1 and 3 after operation. Maximum load until 3 mm gap and load at 1 mm gap were significantly higher in the new techniques than in the conventional techniques at the time of operation and at 1 week; there was no statistical difference between the four techniques at 3 weeks. No technique resulted in a decrease in maximum load until 3 mm gap, load at 1 mm gap and ultimate load at 1 week. The new techniques reported here have the potential to withstand early active flexion exercises.