PURPOSE: The 4-strand cross-locked cruciate technique (Adelaide technique) for repairing flexor tendons in zone II is a favorable method in terms of strength and simplicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of varying the cross-lock stitch size in this repair technique. Outcomes measured were load to failure and gap formation. METHODS: We harvested 22 deep flexor tendons from adult pig forelimbs and randomly allocated them into 2 groups. After cutting the tendons at a standard point, we performed a 4-strand cross-locked cruciate repair using 3-0 braided polyester with either 2-mm cross-locks (n = 11) or 4-mm cross-locks (n = 11). All repairs were completed with a simple running peripheral suture using 6-0 polypropylene. Repaired tendons were loaded to failure and the mechanism of failure, load to failure, stiffness, and load to 2-mm gap formation were determined. RESULTS: All repairs failed by suture breakage; we noted no suture pullout. There was no difference in load to failure (71.7-71.1 N; p = .89) or stiffness (4.1-4.6 N/mm; p = .23) between the 2-mm cross-lock and the 4-mm cross-lock groups. There was a trend toward higher resistance to 2-mm gap formation with the 4-mm cross-locks (55-62.2 N; p = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Four-strand cross-locked cruciate repairs with cross-lock sizes of 2 and 4 mm provide high tensile strength and are resistant to pullout. Repairs with 4-mm cross-locks tend to provide a more central load distribution and better gapping resistance than repairs with 2-mm cross-locks.
PURPOSE: The 4-strand cross-locked cruciate technique (Adelaide technique) for repairing flexor tendons in zone II is a favorable method in terms of strength and simplicity. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of varying the cross-lock stitch size in this repair technique. Outcomes measured were load to failure and gap formation. METHODS: We harvested 22 deep flexor tendons from adult pig forelimbs and randomly allocated them into 2 groups. After cutting the tendons at a standard point, we performed a 4-strand cross-locked cruciate repair using 3-0 braided polyester with either 2-mm cross-locks (n = 11) or 4-mm cross-locks (n = 11). All repairs were completed with a simple running peripheral suture using 6-0 polypropylene. Repaired tendons were loaded to failure and the mechanism of failure, load to failure, stiffness, and load to 2-mm gap formation were determined. RESULTS: All repairs failed by suture breakage; we noted no suture pullout. There was no difference in load to failure (71.7-71.1 N; p = .89) or stiffness (4.1-4.6 N/mm; p = .23) between the 2-mm cross-lock and the 4-mm cross-lock groups. There was a trend toward higher resistance to 2-mm gap formation with the 4-mm cross-locks (55-62.2 N; p = .07). CONCLUSIONS: Four-strand cross-locked cruciate repairs with cross-lock sizes of 2 and 4 mm provide high tensile strength and are resistant to pullout. Repairs with 4-mm cross-locks tend to provide a more central load distribution and better gapping resistance than repairs with 2-mm cross-locks.
Authors: Kosuke Uehara; Chunfeng Zhao; Anne Gingery; Andrew R Thoreson; Kai-Nan An; Peter C Amadio Journal: J Bone Joint Surg Am Date: 2015-11-04 Impact factor: 5.284
Authors: Yasuhiro Ozasa; Anne Gingery; Andrew R Thoreson; Kai-Nan An; Chunfeng Zhao; Peter C Amadio Journal: J Hand Surg Am Date: 2014-06-06 Impact factor: 2.230
Authors: Kosuke Uehara; Chunfeng Zhao; Anne Gingery; Andrew R Thoreson; Kai-Nan An; Peter C Amadio Journal: J Orthop Sci Date: 2020-08-16 Impact factor: 1.805