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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2016; 29(02): 131-135
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-15-04-0061
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

Biomechanical evaluation of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop suture technique compared to a three-loop pulley suture in a canine calcaneus tendon avulsion model

Anna E. Dunlap
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
,
Stanley E. Kim
1   College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
,
Thomas W. McNicholas Jr.
2   First Coast Veterinary Surgery, Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, USA
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 15 April 2015

Accepted: 09 January 2015

Publication Date:
19 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Objective: The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the strength of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop (Speed -Whip™ [SW]) suture pattern using Fiber-wire® with the three-loop pulley (TLP) suture pattern using polypropylene for the surgical repair of canine calcaneal tendon avulsion injuries.

Methods: In vitro biomechanical study using 22 paired tendons collected from 11 canine cadavers. Paired tendons were repaired with either a SW suture pattern using Fiberloop® suture or a TLP suture pattern using polypropylene suture. Tensile loads required to create a 1 mm gap, 3 mm gap, and construct failure were measured.

Results: The mean loads to achieve a 1 mm gap in the TLP and SW constructs were not significantly different. Gap formation at 3 mm occurred at significantly lower loads for the SW (106.4 ± 21.5N) than for the TLP (127.2 ± 27.5N) (p = 0.05). The mean loads to construct failure for the TLP (172.8 ± 39.4N) and SW (131.3 ± 34.3N) were significantly different (p = 0.001).

Clinical significance: The TLP with polypropylene suture is superior to the SW using Fiberloop® at resistance to 3 mm gap formation.

Keywords

Achilles tendon - tenorrhaphy - SpeedWhip™ - three-loop pulley
 

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