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Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2022; 35(05): 321-330
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1749398
Original Research

Biomechanical Comparison of a 3-Loop Pulley and a 4-Loop Pulley Suture for Tenorrhaphy in the Canine Gastrocnemius Tendon

Kadie L. O'Byrne 
1   Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
,
Takanori Sugiyama 
2   Animalius Vet, 6 Focal Way, Bayswater, Western Australia
,
Dale Robinson
3   Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
,
Andrew P. Woodward
1   Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
,
Stewart D. Ryan
1   Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
› Author Affiliations Funding This study was funded by a grant awarded by the European College of Veterinary Surgeons (Resident Research grant).
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Abstract

Objective The aim of this study was to compare a 3-loop pulley (3LP) suture pattern with a 4-loop pulley (4LP) suture pattern for the tenorrhaphy of the canine gastrocnemius tendon

Study Design Randomized, cadaveric, biomechanical study of 30 canine gastrocnemius tendons. Tendons were transected and repaired with either 3LP or 4LP suture pattern with 2–0 polypropylene. A tensile load was applied at 25 mm/min until construct failure. The load required to form a 1 mm gap, 3 mm gap and maximum load at failure was recorded and compared between groups.

Results The estimated mean load to form a 1 mm gap for the 3LP and 4LP was 28.4 N (95% confidence interval [CI]: 24.0–32.6N) and 45.5 N (95% CI: 40.7–50.1N) respectively. The 4LP mean load to form a 1 mm gap was 17.1 N (95% CI: 11.7–22.5N) greater than the 3LP. The estimated mean load to form a 3mm gap for the 3LP and 4LP was 39.7 N (95% CI: 34.1–45.4N) and 55.0 N (95% CI: 49.3–60.9N) respectively. The mean load to form a 3mm gap was 15.3 N (95% CI: 8.5–21.9N) greater in the 4LP than the 3LP. The estimated mean load for failure in the 3LP and 4LP was 41.2 N (95% CI: 35.6–46.9 N) and 54.3 N (95% CI: 48.7–60.3 N) respectively.

Conclusion A 4LP pattern was biomechanically superior to a 3LP pattern, as demonstrated by a greater load required to form both a 1 and 3 mm gap and a greater load for failure

Clinical Significance A 4LP suture pattern better resists gap formation and requires greater load prior to construct failure compared with a 3LP, in this canine gastrocnemius model

Keywords

biomechanical - tendon repair - mechanical testing - tendon healing - tendon injuries

Note

From the Translational Research and Animal Clinical Trial Study (TRACTS) Group . U-Vet Hospital, Melbourne Veterinary School, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, VIC, 3030, Australia.


Authors' Contributions

K.L.O'.B. contributed to study design and concepts, acquisition of all study data, analysis of data, interpretation of data, writing and drafting of the work, revision and final approval of the submitted article.


T.S. was involved in study design and concepts, acquisition of all study data, revision and final approval of the submitted article


A.P.W. contributed to statistical analysis of the data, interpretation of the data, revision and final approval of the submitted article.


D.R. contributed to input in the biomechanical aspect of the study design, acquisition of aspects of study data, help with use and teaching of the testing equipment, revision and final approval of the submitted article.


S.D.R. was involved in study design and concepts, revision and final approval of the submitted article.


Supplementary Material



Publication History

Received: 10 May 2021

Accepted: 13 April 2022

Article published online:
27 June 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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