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Suture Tape Augmentation for Scapholunate Ligament Repair: A Biomechanical Study
R Gil Thompson1, Joel A Dustin2, D Keith Roper2
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Wellstar Atlanta Medical Center, Atlanta, GA.
The Journal of Hand Surgery
|August 20, 2020
Summary
Augmenting scapholunate (SL) ligament repair with suture tape significantly increased biomechanical strength compared to suture anchors alone. This technique may enhance stability for acute SL ligament injuries, especially in active patients.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedic Surgery
- Biomechanics
- Ligament Repair
Background:
- Acute scapholunate (SL) ligament tears often require surgical intervention.
- Primary repair techniques for SL ligament injuries vary.
- Suture tape augmentation is a potential method to enhance repair stability.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the biomechanical strength of SL ligament repair using suture anchors alone versus suture tape augmentation.
- To evaluate the load to failure in acute SL ligament repairs.
Main Methods:
- Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric wrists underwent a dorsal approach.
- The SL ligament was dissected and repaired using either suture anchors alone or augmented with suture tape.
- Specimens were subjected to load to failure testing using a universal testing system.
Main Results:
- SL ligament repairs augmented with suture tape demonstrated a significantly higher maximum load to failure (135 N) compared to repairs with suture anchors alone (68 N).
- Mode of failure was recorded for both groups.
Conclusions:
- Suture tape augmentation provides superior biomechanical stability for acute SL ligament repairs compared to suture anchors alone in a cadaveric model.
- This technique may improve outcomes for higher-demand patients with acute SL ligament injuries.
