PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanical properties of some common suture materials currently in use and compare them with a new multifilament stainless steel suture. METHODS: We investigated the mechanical properties of 3-0 and 4-0 Fiberwire, 3-0 Supramid, 3-0 Ethibond, and a new 3-0 and 4-0 multifilament stainless steel suture. All suture material was tested in a knotted configuration and all but the Supramid was tested in an unknotted configuration. We measured the load, elongation at failure, and stiffness during both tests. RESULTS: The 4-0 multifilament stainless steel showed the least elongation, whereas the 3-0 multifilament stainless steel withstood the highest load of any material in both the knotted and unknotted tests. There was no difference in stiffness between the 3-0 and 4-0 multifilament stainless steel when untied; however, the 3-0 multifilament stainless steel was stiffer when tied. Soaking in a saline solution had no significant effect on the ultimate load, elongation at failure, or stiffness of any of the sutures. The 3-0 Fiberwire and 3-0 Ethibond required at least 5 throws to resist untying. CONCLUSIONS: Multifilament stainless steel exhibited promising mechanical advantages over the other sutures tested. More research is needed to determine how this material will affect the clinical outcomes of primary flexor tendon repair. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With a secure attachment to the tendon, the multifilament stainless steel's lower elongation and better knot-holding ability may result in a higher force to produce a 2-mm gap and a higher ultimate tensile strength in a tendon repair.
PURPOSE: To investigate the mechanical properties of some common suture materials currently in use and compare them with a new multifilament stainless steel suture. METHODS: We investigated the mechanical properties of 3-0 and 4-0 Fiberwire, 3-0 Supramid, 3-0 Ethibond, and a new 3-0 and 4-0 multifilament stainless steel suture. All suture material was tested in a knotted configuration and all but the Supramid was tested in an unknotted configuration. We measured the load, elongation at failure, and stiffness during both tests. RESULTS: The 4-0 multifilament stainless steel showed the least elongation, whereas the 3-0 multifilament stainless steel withstood the highest load of any material in both the knotted and unknotted tests. There was no difference in stiffness between the 3-0 and 4-0 multifilament stainless steel when untied; however, the 3-0 multifilament stainless steel was stiffer when tied. Soaking in a saline solution had no significant effect on the ultimate load, elongation at failure, or stiffness of any of the sutures. The 3-0 Fiberwire and 3-0 Ethibond required at least 5 throws to resist untying. CONCLUSIONS: Multifilament stainless steel exhibited promising mechanical advantages over the other sutures tested. More research is needed to determine how this material will affect the clinical outcomes of primary flexor tendon repair. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: With a secure attachment to the tendon, the multifilament stainless steel's lower elongation and better knot-holding ability may result in a higher force to produce a 2-mm gap and a higher ultimate tensile strength in a tendon repair.
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