Comparative Biomechanic Study of Flexor Tendon Repair Using FiberWire

The effect of a collagen-elastin matrix on adhesion formation after flexor tendon repair in a rabbit model

“…Cross stitches or multiple locking stitches were not applied. There is evidence that other suture techniques provide Arch Orthop Trauma Surg greater biomechanical stability [3,4,6]. Despite this, repair failures had not to be observed during the study.…”

“…The unrestricted motion yielded in free passive range of motion in all of the Arch Orthop Trauma Surg joints of the operated legs and may have been a major cause for the observed tendon gapping, even though the repeated loaded exercise did not result in complete failure of the repair. With regard to the suture material, FiberWire proofed to have pronounced rigidity over Ethilon or Prolene (Ethicon, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) [3,6]. In a preliminary study, Prolene (Ethicon, Edinburgh, United Kingdom) was used as material for the core sutures, but the threads had pulled out of the tendon as early as 1 week after the tendon repair.…”

“…Different suture techniques involving multiple suture strands and modern suture materials are used to improve the strength of the tendon repair to allow for active early motion of the injured digit [1][2][3][4][5][6]. Some studies have shown that an increased gliding resistance due to the suture material and suture technique cannot be overcome by passive mobilization alone, probably due to buckling up of the tendons inside the flexor sheath, or possibly as a result of post-injury oedema and exudative fluid reactions [7].…”

Comparison of a New Multifilament Stainless Steel Suture with Frequently Used Sutures for Flexor Tendon Repair

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] Some of the characteristics of an ideal suture material include nonbioreactivity, a high ultimate tensile strength, and the ability to resist elongation, handle and tie easily, and hold knots well.…”

“…More recently Fiberwire (FW) (Arthrex, Naples, FL) has demonstrated some advantageous properties but has some disadvantages including a poor ability to hold knots. 20,27,31,32 Recently, a multifilament stainless steel (MFSS) suture was developed for use in flexor tendon repair. Whereas the use of stainless steel as suture material is not a new idea, the configuration of the stainless steel filaments in this design produces a suture that is easier to handle than the monofilament designs.…”