Biocompatibility and strength properties of nitinol shape memory alloy suture in rabbit tendon.

Nitinol (NiTi) is a promising new tendon suture material with good strength, easy handling and good super-elastic properties. NiTi sutures were implanted for biocompatibility testing into the right medial gastrocnemius tendon in 15 rabbits for 2, 6 and 12 weeks. Additional sutures were implanted in subcutaneous tissue for strength measurements in order to determine the effect of implantation on strength properties of NiTi suture material. Braided polyester sutures (Ethibond) of approximately the same diameter were used as control. Encapsulating membrane formation around the sutures was minimal in the case of both materials. The breaking load of NiTi was significantly greater compared to braided polyester. Implantation did not affect the strength properties of either material.