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Veterinary surgery : VS1990; 19(1); 28-33; doi: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01139.x

Strength characteristics and failure modes of locking-loop and three-loop pulley suture patterns in equine tendons.

Abstract: Size 3-0 polydioxanone was used as a single strand, single braid (3 strands), or double braid (6 strands) to create six suture material-pattern combinations for equine tenorrhaphy: single-strand locking loop, single-braid locking loop, double-braid locking loop, single-strand three-loop pulley, single-braid three-loop pulley, and double-braid three-loop pulley. Maximum load to failure for the single-strand locking loop (46.1 +/- 2.9 newtons [N]) was less than for all other sutures (range, 103-155 N). The load required to form a 2 mm gap between tendon ends was greater for the single-braid three-loop pulley (66.7 +/- 6.9 N) and double-braid three-loop pulley (85.4 +/- 17.7 N) than any other sutures. The load required to produce a 10 mm gap was least for the single-strand locking loop (34.3 +/- 3.9 N) and greatest for the double-braid three-loop pulley (131.5 +/- 27.5 N). Gap between tendon ends at maximum load was greater for the single-braid (18.1 +/- 0.9 mm) and double-braid (19.2 +/- 2.2 mm) locking loops than for any other sutures. Suture material broke in 53% of the locking-loop tests but in only 17% of the three-loop pulley tests. Tendon matrix disruption accounted for 43% of the locking-loop failures and 77% of the three-loop pulley failures. The three-loop pulley pattern provided more support, less tendon distraction, and less tendon matrix constriction and distortion than the locking-loop pattern.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Publication Date: 1990-01-01 PubMed ID: 2405581DOI: 10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01139.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article

Summary

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The research investigated the strength and failure characteristics of different suture patterns in equine tendons. A material called 3-0 polydioxanone was used to create six unique suture material-pattern combinations for horse tendon repair, and the study found that the three-loop pulley pattern was more effective, providing greater support, less distraction, and lower constriction and distortion than the locking-loop pattern.

Experiment Design and Suture Combinations

  • The investigation used Size 3-0 polydioxanone and formed it into single strand, single braid (3 strands), or double braid (6 strands).
  • These configurations were used to create six unique combinations for equine tenorrhaphy: single-strand locking loop, single-braid locking loop, double-braid locking loop, single-strand three-loop pulley, single-braid three-loop pulley, and double-braid three-loop pulley.

Testing and Results

  • An examination of the maximum load to failure revealed that the single-strand locking loop had the lowest load (46.1 +/- 2.9 newtons [N]) compared to all other sutures, which ranged from 103-155 N.
  • The load required to form a 2 mm gap between tendon ends was largest for the single-braid three-loop pulley and double-braid three-loop pulley when compared to the other sutures.
  • When tracking the need for a larger gap (10 mm), the single-strand locking loop required the least load, while the double-braid three-loop pulley needed the greatest.
  • The gap between tendon ends at maximum load was greater for single-braid and double-braid locking loops than for the other sutures configurations.
  • Regarding failure modes, suture material broke more in the locking-loop tests (53%) than in the three-loop pulley tests (17%).
  • Tendon matrix disruption was responsible for 43% of the locking-loop failures and 77% of the three-loop pulley failures.

Conclusion

  • The outcomes revealed that the three-loop pulley pattern offered better support, led to less tendon distraction, and induced less tendon matrix constriction and distortion than the locking-loop pattern, making it a preferable choice for equine tendon repair surgeries.

Cite This Article

APA
Jann HW, Stein LE, Good JK. (1990). Strength characteristics and failure modes of locking-loop and three-loop pulley suture patterns in equine tendons. Vet Surg, 19(1), 28-33. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1532-950x.1990.tb01139.x

Publication

ISSN: 0161-3499
NlmUniqueID: 8113214
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 19
Issue: 1
Pages: 28-33

Researcher Affiliations

Jann, H W
  • Department of Veterinary Medicine and Surgery, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater 74078.
Stein, L E
    Good, J K

      MeSH Terms

      • Animals
      • Horses / surgery
      • Stress, Mechanical
      • Suture Techniques / veterinary
      • Tendons / surgery

      Citations

      This article has been cited 3 times.
      1. Voga M, Adamic N, Vengust M, Majdic G. Stem Cells in Veterinary Medicine-Current State and Treatment Options. Front Vet Sci 2020;7:278.
        doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.00278pubmed: 32656249google scholar: lookup
      2. Crawford WH, Ingle JE. Repair of a deep digital tendon deficit in a horse using a polypropylene implant. Can Vet J 1997 May;38(5):294-6.
        pubmed: 9167878
      3. Abd El-Aziz MY, Elgohary DH, Abo El Amaim YA, Hassan EA. Ex vivo mechanical testing of double strand, braided and knitted polyethylene suture for acute transverse section of the Achilles tendon in a dog model. J Orthop Surg Res 2025 May 30;20(1):545.
        doi: 10.1186/s13018-025-05947-1pubmed: 40442722google scholar: lookup