Suturing Achilles tendon and mesh simultaneously in augmented repair resists gap formation foremost: an experimental...

The common calcanean tendon (Achilles tendon) is the strongest and largest tendon and is one of the most commonly affected by spontaneous rupture. Different suture techniques are used to repair the tendon rupture. We compare the biomechanical properties of three different modalities of suture pattern in a mechanical experiment in rabbits with the purpose of evaluating the use of polypropylene mesh augmentation for Achilles tendon repair to find out the best surgical option.

The study tests single cycle to failure tensile strength characteristics of three different combinations of the 3-loop pulley (3-LP) suture technique with polypropylene mesh, and statistically compares the biomechanical properties as the maximum load at failure for all 3-LP repair.

The normal Achilles tendon-control group-failed at a mean load of 25.5 + 13.6; the experimental groups failed at a significantly lower load (p < 0.001), with the group of 3-LP suture with polypropylene mesh included in the suture being the more similar to controls, but all the groups exhibited statistically significant differences with regard to normal tendons (p < 0.001). The distance at which each group failed was also significant between control and experimental groups (p < 0.001) with the exception of the suture-only group and the group with the mesh over the suture (p = 0.15).

Results from this study suggest that incorporating the mesh within the suture provides benefit to the Achilles tendon repair by improving strength and resistance to pull through. However, further in vivo studies will be necessary to confirm these results and incorporate this technique to the routine human and veterinary surgery.