The authors acknowledge support from Graduate Research Innovation Project of Jiangsu Province (YKC16061).

All experimental procedures described were approved by the Administration Committee of Experimental Animals of the Nantong University. Thirty porcine tendons were repaired with three 2-strand repairs: 2-strand core suture, 2-strand core suture plus 2Q, and 2-strand core suture plus running peripheral sutures. The other 30 porcine tendons were repaired with three 4 strand repairs: 4-strand core suture, 4-strand core suture plus 2Q, and 4-strand core suture plus running peripheral sutures.
1. Prep...

<ol>
	<li>Linnanmaki, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Gap+Formation+During+Cyclic+Testing+of+Flexor+Tendon+Repair.">Gap Formation During Cyclic Testing of Flexor Tendon Repair.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 43 (6), 570 (2018).</li><li>Zhao, C., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effect+of+gap+size+on+gliding+resistance+after+flexor+tendon+repair.">Effect of gap size on gliding resistance after flexor tendon repair.</a> Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American volume. 86 (11), 2482-2488 (2004).</li><li>Gelberman, R. H., Boyer, M. I., Brodt, M. D., Winters, S. C., Silva, M. J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+gap+formation+at+the+repair+site+on+the+strength+and+excursion+of+intrasynovial+flexor+tendons.+An+experimental+study+on+the+early+stages+of+tendon-healing+in+dogs.">The effect of gap formation at the repair site on the strength and excursion of intrasynovial flexor tendons. An experimental study on the early stages of tendon-healing in dogs.</a> Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery - American volume. 81 (7), 975-982 (1999).</li><li>Sull, A., Inceoglu, S., Wongworawat, M. D. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Does+Barbed+Suture+Repair+Negate+the+Benefit+of+Peripheral+Repair+in+Porcine+Flexor+Tendon.">Does Barbed Suture Repair Negate the Benefit of Peripheral Repair in Porcine Flexor Tendon.</a> Hand. 11 (4), 479-483 (2016).</li><li>Merrell, G. A., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+increased+peripheral+suture+purchase+on+the+strength+of+flexor+tendon+repairs.">The effect of increased peripheral suture purchase on the strength of flexor tendon repairs.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 28 (3), 464-468 (2003).</li><li>Rawson, S., Cartmell, S., Wong, J. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Suture+techniques+for+tendon+repair;+a+comparative+review.">Suture techniques for tendon repair; a comparative review.</a> Muscles, Ligaments, and Tendons Journal. 3 (3), 220-228 (2013).</li><li>Dona, E., Turner, A. W., Gianoutsos, M. P., Walsh, W. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Biomechanical+properties+of+four+circumferential+flexor+tendon+suture+techniques.">Biomechanical properties of four circumferential flexor tendon suture techniques.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 28 (5), 824-831 (2003).</li><li>Mishra, V., Kuiper, J. H., Kelly, C. P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+core+suture+material+and+peripheral+repair+technique+on+the+strength+of+Kessler+flexor+tendon+repair.">Influence of core suture material and peripheral repair technique on the strength of Kessler flexor tendon repair.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - British and European Volume. 28 (4), 357-362 (2003).</li><li>Moriya, T., Zhao, C., An, K. N., Amadio, P. C. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+epitendinous+suture+technique+on+gliding+resistance+during+cyclic+motion+after+flexor+tendon+repair:+a+cadaveric+study.">The effect of epitendinous suture technique on gliding resistance during cyclic motion after flexor tendon repair: a cadaveric study.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 35 (4), 552-558 (2010).</li><li>Takeuchi, N., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Strength+enhancement+of+the+interlocking+mechanism+in+cross-stitch+peripheral+sutures+for+flexor+tendon+repair:+biomechanical+comparisons+by+cyclic+loading.">Strength enhancement of the interlocking mechanism in cross-stitch peripheral sutures for flexor tendon repair: biomechanical comparisons by cyclic loading.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - European volume. 35 (1), 46-50 (2010).</li><li>Mao, W. F., Wu, Y. F. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+a+Q+Suture+Technique+on+Resistance+to+Gap+Formation+and+Tensile+Strength+of+Repaired+Tendons:+An+Ex+Vivo+Mechanical+Study.">Effects of a Q Suture Technique on Resistance to Gap Formation and Tensile Strength of Repaired Tendons: An Ex Vivo Mechanical Study.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 45 (3), 258 (2020).</li><li>Hirpara, K. M., Sullivan, P. J., O'Sullivan, M. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+freezing+on+the+tensile+properties+of+repaired+porcine+flexor+tendon.">The effects of freezing on the tensile properties of repaired porcine flexor tendon.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 33 (3), 353-358 (2008).</li><li>Tang, J. B., Zhang, Y., Cao, Y., Xie, R. G. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Core+suture+purchase+affects+strength+of+tendon+repairs.">Core suture purchase affects strength of tendon repairs.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 30 (6), 1262-1266 (2005).</li><li>Cao, Y., Zhu, B., Xie, R. G., Tang, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Influence+of+core+suture+purchase+length+on+strength+of+four-strand+tendon+repairs.">Influence of core suture purchase length on strength of four-strand tendon repairs.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 31 (1), 107-112 (2006).</li><li>Kim, J. B., de Wit, T., Hovius, S. E., McGrouther, D. A., Walbeehm, E. T. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=What+is+the+significance+of+tendon+suture+purchase.">What is the significance of tendon suture purchase.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - European volume. 34 (4), 497-502 (2009).</li><li>Lee, S. K., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effects+of+core+suture+purchase+on+the+biomechanical+characteristics+of+a+multistrand+locking+flexor+tendon+repair:+a+cadaveric+study.">The effects of core suture purchase on the biomechanical characteristics of a multistrand locking flexor tendon repair: a cadaveric study.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 35 (7), 1165-1171 (2010).</li><li>Vanhees, M., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+effect+of+suture+preloading+on+the+force+to+failure+and+gap+formation+after+flexor+tendon+repair.">The effect of suture preloading on the force to failure and gap formation after flexor tendon repair.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 38 (1), 56-61 (2013).</li><li>Smith, G. H., Huntley, J. S., Anakwe, R. E., Wallace, R. J., McEachan, J. E. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Tensioning+of+Prolene+reduces+creep+under+cyclical+load:+relevance+to+a+simple+pre-operative+manoeuvre.">Tensioning of Prolene reduces creep under cyclical load: relevance to a simple pre-operative manoeuvre.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - European volume. 37 (9), 823-825 (2012).</li><li>Wu, Y. F., Tang, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Effects+of+tension+across+the+tendon+repair+site+on+tendon+gap+and+ultimate+strength.">Effects of tension across the tendon repair site on tendon gap and ultimate strength.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - American volume. 37 (5), 906-912 (2012).</li><li>Wu, Y. F., Tang, J. B. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=How+much+does+a+Pennington+lock+add+to+strength+of+a+tendon+repair.">How much does a Pennington lock add to strength of a tendon repair.</a> Journal of Hand Surgery - European volume. 36 (6), 476-484 (2011).</li></ol>

The results of the current study showed that Q suture not only reduced the gapping and improves tensile strength of the repaired tendons but was also timesaving and labor-saving. Nonetheless, some key points regarding tendon repair in the current study should be noted.
First, we tried to select tendon samples that were similar in shape and size because we were not sure whether tendon size would have a notable impact on tensile strength after repair. In addition, tendon samples can be preserved...

Gap formation at tendon repair site affects tendon repair strength and gliding resistance substantially. The consequences of gapping between tendon ends may ultimately impede tendon healing in vivo1. It has been reported that the presence of a gap larger than 2 mm at the repair site lead to a significant increase in the gliding resistance of repaired intrasynovial tendon in cadaveric hands2. A study in a canine model has shown that a gap size larger than 3 mm would impair the tendon healing strength and stiffness3. Therefore, improving resistance and decreasing the risk of gapping between tendon ends are critical for tendon repair.
Addition of peripheral sutures has been shown to reduce the gapping at the tendon repair site thereby improving gliding function of the repaired tendons4,5,6. During the last few decades, a number of peripheral sutures have been developed, including the interlocking cross stitch (IXS), interlocking horizontal mattress (IHM), and cross-linked Silfverski&#246;ld and Lembert, et al7,8,9,10. These peripheral sutures have proven to be superior to running peripheral sutures with respect to gapping resistance in tendon repair. However, many of these sutures are complex in structure and difficult to perform, thereby limiting their widespread applications. An ideal suture for tendon repair should aim to prevent gap formation while avoiding the addition of bulk to the repair site after tendon repair. Currently, running peripheral suture remains a popular technique due to its simplicity.
In a recent study, a technique, alternative to peripheral suture, named Q suture, because its shape is similar to the letter &#8220;Q&#8221;, is presented11. Here, we compared this suturing technique with running peripheral suture to check for the differences in gapping resistance and the tensile strength of repaired tendons. The results showed that Q suture was more efficient in enhancing the gapping resistance and ultimate strength of the repaired tendons in the cyclic loading test. Therefore, this article aims to provide a detailed description of how to perform Q suture technique and the biomechanical settings for testing the effects of Q suture on the properties of the repaired tendons.

<table>
	<tbody>
		<tr>
			<td>4-0 suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Somerville, NJ</td>
			<td>Ethilon 1667</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>6-0 suture</td>
			<td>Ethicon, Somerville, NJ</td>
			<td>Ethilon 689</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>biomechanical testing machine</td>
			<td>Instron Corp, Norwood, MA</td>
			<td>Instron 3365</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr>
			<td>biomechanical testing software</td>
			<td>Instron Corp, Norwood, MA</td>
			<td>Bluehill 2</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

using q suture to enhance resistance to gap formation and tensile strength of repaired flexor tendons

Peripheral epitendinous sutures are believed to enhance core suture strength in tendon repair and decrease the risk of gapping between tendon ends. Here Q suture, an alternative to peripheral sutures, is presented for the use in tendon repair. Its effects on gap formation and tensile strength of the repaired tendons were compared with conventional running peripheral sutures. Three 2-strand sutures and three 4-strand sutures were used in repairing porcine tendons. The time required for performing 2Q and running sutures were recorded. The repaired tendons were subjected to a cyclic loading test, and the cycle number, during which a 2-mm gap was formed, was determined. After the cyclic loading, the gap size at the tendon ends and the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons were measured. Augmentation with the Q sutures reduced the number of tendons showing 2-mm gaps at tendon ends during cyclic loading. With addition of Q sutures 2-strand sutures significantly increased the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons and 4-strand sutures decreased the gap distance at the repair site of tendons. The time required for performing 2Q sutures was significantly less than that for running sutures. Therefore, we conclude that the Q suture is efficient in enhancing the tensile resistance and tendon repair strength and can be an alternative to conventional peripheral sutures.

Table 1 shows that addition of Q suture reduced the number of tendons with 2-mm gapping during cyclic loading in both 2-strand and 4-strand repairs. All tendons repaired with 2-strand and 4-strand core sutures formed a 2-mm gap, whereas none of the tendons repaired with 2-strand plus 2Q and only half of those repaired with 4-strand plus 2Q had a 2-mm gapping after 10 cycles. More tendons repaired with 2-strand plus running or 4-strand plus running sutures showed a 2-mm gap than those augmented with Q sut...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Using Q Suture to Enhance Resistance to Gap Formation and Tensile Strength of Repaired Flexor Tendons at JoVE.com

Using Q Suture to Enhance Resistance to Gap Formation and Tensile Strength of Repaired Flexor Tendons

Here, we present a &#8220;Q&#8221; suture technique that can be performed in tendon repair and its effects on the gap formation and tensile strength of the repaired tendons. Q suture is shown to be efficient in enhancing the tensile resistance and tendon repair strength.

Peripheral epitendinous sutures are believed to enhance core suture strength in tendon repair and decrease the risk of gapping between tendon ends. Here Q ...

Peripheral sutures can enhance the core suture strength and decrease the risk for gaping between repaired tendon ends. We present Q sutures as an alternative to conventional peripheral sutures. Compared to conventional running peripheral sutures, Q sutures are very easy to perform, are time-saving, and demonstrate a superior performance in resisting gapping in tendon repair.To perform a tendon repair, begin by marking the anterior surface of one of the porcine tendon stumps with two points that are 10 millimeters from the cut tendon, one fourth of the way from the left and right sides of the tendon in the mediolateral direction. Mark each of the left and right lateral surfaces of the tendon with one point that is eight millimeters from each cut tendon end. And locate the point in the middle of the anterior-posterior direction.Then use a vernier caliper to measure all of the lengths between each set of points. Using four zero sutures, insert a needle into the cut surface of one tendon stump from the middle point in the anterior-posterior direction, and one fourth of the way from the left in the medial-lateral direction. Draw a region of interest around the selected neuron and draw a second larger region of interest around the tail that includes the first region of interest.Reinsert the needle obliquely from point three and pass the needle transversely toward point four. Pull out the suture to create a small loop at the lateral surface of the tendon, and reinsert the needle obliquely from point two, passing the needle longitudinally toward the cut end. Then pull out the suture.To form a symmetrical repair, insert the needle into the cut end of the other tendon stump and suture the other stump with the same construct. Tighten the suture with a 10%shortening of the tendon segment within the core suture. And tie the tendon ends together with three to four knots to complete the two-strand core suture.To complete a four-strand core suture, repeat the suturing process as just demonstrated. To add a Q suture, insert the same needle into the tendon anterior surface, two millimeters away from the joined tendon end. And withdraw the needle on the posterior surface of the tendon.Reinsert the needle into the posterior surface of the tendon at two millimeters away from the other side of the joined tendon end. Pull out the suture from the anterior surface of the tendon and the tie three knots to complete the first Q suture. Then repeat the procedure to complete the second Q suture.To add a running suture in the two-strand or four-strand core suture plus running group, use a six zero suture to add a running epitenon suture of nine to 10 stitches to the tendon ends, keeping a similar purchase of 1.5 millimeters and a depth of one millimeter. When all of the sutures have been placed, cover the repaired tendon with wet gauze. Before performing biomechanical testing of the repairs, open the testing software and navigate to the home screen.Click method to create a test method, and click New to open the create a new test method dialogue box. Select the tension test profile method test type and click create. Click save to name and save the test method file and click control and pretest in the navigation bar to open the control pre-test screen in the method tab.Click preload and set the control mode to tensile extension, the rate to 25 millimeters per minute, the channel to load, and the value to 5 Newtons. Enable the autobalance and add the available channels of load to the selected channels. Click test to open the setup control test screen, and click edit profile of this cyclic loading to open the test profile or dialog box.Insert four blocks. In the first block, set the mode to tensile extension, the shape to triangle, the maximum load to eight Newtons in the two-strand repairs and 15 Newtons in the four-strand repairs, the minimum load to zero Newtons, the rate to 25 millimeters per minute, and the cycle to 10. In the second block set the mode to tensile extension, the shape to absolute ramp, the rate to 25 millimeters per minute, and the end point to eight Newtons in the two-strand repairs and 15 Newtons in the four-strand repairs.In the third block, set the mode to tensile extension, the shape to hold, the criteria to duration, and the duration to eight seconds. In the fourth block, set the mode to tensile extension, the shape to absolute ramp, the rate to 25 millimeters per minute, and the end point as 100 Newtons. Then click save and exit.Next, open the control end of test screen and set criteria one to rate of load, and the sensitivity to 40%In the calculation setup screen, add available calculations of absolute peak to the selected calculations. Select load in the drop down list of channel and apply the absolute peak to the four absolute ramp. Open the results'one column screen, select a maximum load, and add load to the selected results.Then click save, and close. To perform a biomechanical test, set the initial distance between the upper and lower clamps of the testing machine to five centimeters. Wrap the tendon with dry gauzes, two to three centimeters away from the cut end, and mount the gauze wrapped then in segments into the upper and lower clamps, keeping the tendon as vertical as possible.When the tendon has been mounted, click test on the home screen and select the save to test method file. Click next and select a location, and enter a name to save the sample data file. The test tab will be displayed.Click open load cell set up dialog, calibrate and okay to remove the load from the load cell. Click open live displays set up dialogue and select tensile extension in the drop-down list of channel one. Select cycle count in the dropdown list of channel three, and select three in the live displays.Click open control panel set up dialog and select balanced load in the dropdown list of key 1, and reset gauge length of key 2. Click balance load, reset gauge length and start to run a test for each specimen in the sample. During the cyclic loading, record the number of tendons with a two millimeter gap between the two ends.During the eight-second pause at the maximum load after the 10th cycle, measure the gap distance between the tendon ends. After measuring the gap, pull the tendon upward until the repair ruptures, and record the ultimate breaking strain. Then click stop, return, and finish to save the results.As illustrated in the table, in this representative analysis, the addition of Q suture reduce the number of tendons with two millimeter gapping during cyclic loading in both two-strand and four-strand repairs. All of the tenants repaired with two and four-strand core sutures formed a two-millimeter gap, whereas none of the tendons repaired with two strand plus two Q, and only half of those repaired with four strand plus two Q had a two-millimeter gapping after 10 cycles. Further, more tendons repaired with two-strand plus running or four-strand plus running sutures showed a two millimeter gap, then those augmented with Q sutures.With two strand repairs, the addition of the Q suture or running sutures both reduce the gap distance between tendon ends after cyclic loading, but only Q suture addition significantly increase the ultimate strength of the repaired tendon. The addition of the Q suture also minimize the gap distance with four-strand repairs, although the ultimate strength of the repaired tendons was not affected. In addition, the average time required for performing two Q sutures was significantly shorter than that for a running suture.The facts of Q sutures when combined with other types of core sutures warrant for the study to confirm the efficacy of Q sutures.

using-q-suture-to-enhance-resistance-to-gap-formation-tensile

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

5.5K vistas.  Nantong University. Las suturas periféricas pueden mejorar la resistencia de la sutura del núcleo y disminuir el riesgo de separación entre los extremos reparados del tendón. Presentamos suturas Q como alternativa a las suturas periféricas convencionales. En comparación con las suturas periféricas de funcionamiento convencional, las suturas Q son muy fáciles de realizar, ahorran tiempo y demuestran un rendimiento superior en la resistencia a la reparación del tendón.Para realizar una reparación...