Suture technic and suture-holding capacity. A model study and a theoretical analysis.

The suture-holding capacity (SHC) of six representative surgical suture materials was analyzed. The single loop, the far-and-near, and the near-and-near suture technics were used in the study. The SHC was found to depend on: (1) the coefficient of friction between the suture strand and the tissue; (2) the distensibility of tied and untied fiber; (3) the holding capacity of the knot used; and (4) the strength of the untied strand. Knot-holding capacity (KHC) was of the greatest importance when the single loop technic was used and when the friction between the suture strand and the tissue was low. When the near-and-near or the far-and-near technic was used, the SHC was influenced little by the strength of the knot, especially when the coefficient of friction between strand and tissue was high. The near-and-near suture technic produced the strongest sutures for all materials except Dexon, for which the far-and-near technic produced the strongest sutures. With a correct suture and tying technic, one can optimally use the strength of the suture material and one can use thin strands.