Knee Surg Relat Res.  2020 Dec;32(4):e42. 10.1186/s43019-020-00053-4.

The influence of suture materials on the biomechanical behavior of suture-meniscal specimens: a comparative study in a porcine model

• KMID: 2512225
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s43019-020-00053-4

Abstract

Background
Repair of a meniscal tear is indicated in certain conditions. Despite extensive research on the biomechanics of various repair methods, there has been minimal investigation of whether the suture material influences the meniscal-suture construct. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical properties of nine different suture materials under cyclic and load-to-failure conditions.
Methods
Ninety porcine menisci were randomly allocated to simple suture placement using either Ultrabraid^®, Ultratape^®, Magnum Wire^® TigerWire^®, TigerTape^®, LabralTape^®, Orthocord^®, 0 FiberWire^®, or 2-0 FiberWire^®. Each suture-meniscus specimen underwent cyclic loading followed by load-to-failure testing. Elongation, maximum load to failure, stiffness, and mode of failure were recorded and compared between each suture type using nonparametric testing. Mean ± standard deviation was reported and the statistical significance was p < 0.05.
Results
Elongation during cyclic loading was lowest with 2-0 FiberWire (0.95 ± 0.17 mm); this value was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except 0 FiberWire^® (1.09 ± 0.17 mm, p = 0.79), TigerWire^® (1.09 ± 0.29 mm, p = 0.85), TigerTape^® (1.39 ± 0.29 mm, p = 0.08), and LabralTape^® (1.20 ± 0.33 mm, p = 0.41). The highest elongation was seen with Ultrabraid^® (1.91 ± 0.34 mm); this value was statistically significantly greater than the results for all other suture materials except Orthocord^® (1.59 mm ± 0.31 mm, p = 0.46) and Magnum Wire^® (1.43 ± 0.25 mm, p = 0.14). Load to failure was highest for TigerTape^® (287.43 ± 41.15 N), and this result was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except LabralTape^® (271.34 ± 48.48 N, p = 0.99) and TigerWire^® (251.03 ± 25.8 N, p = 0.51). Stiffness was highest for LabralTape^® (195.77 ± 49.06 N/mm), and this result was statistically significantly different than the results for all other sutures except TigerWire^® (186.49 ± 19.83 N/ mm,p = 0.45) and TigerTape^®(173.35 ± 15.60 N/mm, p = 0.19). The majority of sutures failed by pullout (n = 46, 51%) or tearing (n = 40, 45%).
Conclusion
Suture design and material affect the biomechanical behavior of porcine meniscal-suture specimens. LabralTape^®, TigerWire^®, and TigerTape^® demonstrated better overall combinations of low elongation, high maximum load to failure, and high stiffness.

Keyword

Meniscal tears; Meniscus repair; Suture repair; Biomechanical analysis; Porcine