A New Type of Flexor Tendon Repair

Abstract

Experiments were performed to evaluate biomechanical aspects of the performance of a “deep-biting peripheral suture” for flexor tendon repair, either when used alone or with a square or modified Kessler core stitch, and the technique was compared to the Kleinert repair. Tests included progressively increasing cyclic loads, force to pull the repair into the A2 pulley, and ultimate failure strength. 50% of the Kleinert repairs failed under 30 N cyclic loading, while 100% of the DBPS plus Kessler core stitch repairs survived. There was no discernable difference in gliding function or repair bulk between these sutures, but ultimate strength increased significantly with the DBPS repairs. We concluded that the DBPS plus Kessler-type core stitch will survive active mobilization better than the Kleinert method.