Biomechanical Comparison of Modified Kessler and Running Suture Repair in 3 Different Animal Tendons and in Human Flexor Tendons

Animal Models for Tendon Repair Experiments: A Comparison of Pig, Sheep and Human Deep Flexor Tendons in Zone II

“…In this study the biomechanical performance of either modified Kessler core repairs or simple running circumferential repairs were tested dynamically in the deep flexor tendons of sheep, pig, calf, and human origin. 15) Repaired sheep tendons were found to perform most similarly to repaired human tendons with regard to gap formation and failure loads. Porcine tendons in the "core only" group showed significant more resistance to gapping in comparison to sheep and human tendons.…”

“…investigated the comparability of this tendon model to the human tendon model. 15,24) Other authors refer to separate biomechanical investigations with similar results on human or pig flexor tendons and then conclude that the different models are comparable. 13,[25][26][27] And albeit the also common use of sheep tendons for biomechanical experiments, 19 investigated the sheep tendon model regarding biomechanical comparability to pig or human tendons.…”

“…13,[25][26][27] And albeit the also common use of sheep tendons for biomechanical experiments, 19 investigated the sheep tendon model regarding biomechanical comparability to pig or human tendons. 15) A flexor tendon reconstruction is a dynamic interface. The repair configuration adjusts as the tendon is loaded and repetitively stressed.…”

“…This was shown in previous publications. 13,24) Different animal tendon models and tendon sizes were also discussed in the paper by Hausmann et al in 2009. In this study the biomechanical performance of either modified Kessler core repairs or simple running circumferential repairs were tested dynamically in the deep flexor tendons of sheep, pig, calf, and human origin.…”

“…Primate cadaveric tendons are the most representative, both anatomically and physiologically, 11) but similar barriers, namely cost, availability and ethics preclude their widespread use. Porcine deep flexor tendons are the most commonly used substitutes, [12][13][14][15][16][17][18] perhaps followed by the sheep tendon model. 15,[19][20][21][22][23] These animal tendons are easy to obtain and have a comparable size to human flexor digitorum profundus tendons.…”