Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 26, 2026
A Novel Tenorrhaphy Suture Technique with Tissue Engineered Collagen Graft to Repair Large Tendon Defects
Published on: December 10, 2021
Biomechanical evaluation of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop suture technique compared to a three-loop pulley
Anna E Dunlap, Stanley E Kim1, W Thomas McNicholas
1Stanley Kim BVSc, MS, DACVS, University of Florida, College of Veterinary Medicine, Small Animal Surgery,2015 SW 16th Ave, Gainesville, Florida 32610, United States,
Objective:
The purpose of this cadaveric study was to compare the strength of a non-locking pre-manufactured loop (SpeedWhip™ [SW]) suture pattern using Fiberwire® with the three-loop pulley (TLP) suture pattern using polypropylene for the surgical repair of canine calcaneal tendon avulsion injuries.
Methods:
In vitro biomechanical study using 22 paired tendons collected from 11 canine cadavers. Paired tendons were repaired with either a SW suture pattern using Fiberloop® suture or a TLP suture pattern using polypropylene suture. Tensile loads required to create a 1 mm gap, 3 mm gap, and construct failure were measured.
Results:
The mean loads to achieve a 1 mm gap in the TLP and SW constructs were not significantly different. Gap formation at 3 mm occurred at significantly lower loads for the SW (106.4 ± 21.5N) than for the TLP (127.2 ± 27.5N) (p = 0.05). The mean loads to construct failure for the TLP (172.8 ± 39.4N) and SW (131.3 ± 34.3N) were significantly different (p = 0.001).
Clinical Significance:
The TLP with polypropylene suture is superior to the SW using Fiberloop® at resistance to 3 mm gap formation.
