Reproducible volar partial lacerations in flexor tendons: a new device for biomechanical studies

A device was designed to create clinically relevant, precise partial flexor digitorum profundus tendon lacerations for in vitro studies but can be adapted for in vivo studies. This caliper-based system utilizes a direct measurement of the tendon height and assumes an elliptical cross section to select the depth of the cut. The accuracy was tested on 60 cuts on 12 human tendons lacerated to an expected 50% or 75% of their cross-sectional area, based on the assumption that the cross-section was elliptical in shape. The cuts were made in portions of the tendon that varied in cross-sectional shape and size. The cut surface of the laceration was colored with Methylene blue and then the laceration was completed. The tendon cross-section was digitally imaged and the respective areas of the stained and unstained regions were evaluated using image-processing software. The mean lacerated areas were 52% (SD 5%) and 73% (SD 6%) for targeted lacerations of 50% and 75%, respectively. The device thus appears to be accurate within an acceptable 5% margin of error from the expected area, and adaptable to intra- and inter-tendinous size variations.