Abstract
Objective
To evaluate the mechanical properties of sutures commonly used in orthopedic surgeries, characterizing their behavior through tensile tests and determining which one has greater mechanical strength.
Method
Tensile tests of different sutures were performed in a mechanical testing machine BME 10 kN, using a 50 kgf maximum capacity loading cell. Seven samples from each suture material were tested. Both ends of the sample material were fixed in the proper metal claw, maintaining an initial length of 5 cm. Tests were performed at a speed of 20 mm/minute and at room temperature, recording data for maximum displacement and maximum force at the rupture point.
Results
FiberWire® #2 (Artrhex, Naples, FL, USA) presented the highest mean strength of rupture (240.17 N), followed by HiFi® #2 (Conmed, Utica, NY, USA) (213.39N) and Ethibond® #5 (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) (207.38 N). Ethibond® #2 (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, NJ, USA) had the lowestmean strength of rupture (97.8 N).
Conclusion
Non-absorbable braided polyblend sutures, more recently introduced, are superior to conventional, braided polyester sutures, and FiberWire® #2 is the most resistant suture evaluated in the present study.
Keywords:
shoulder; acromioclavicular joint/injuries; acromioclavicular joint/surgery; biomechanical phenomena; sutures
