A clove-hitch suture method for small-caliber tendon ends.

BACKGROUND The choices of suture methods used to secure the end of a small-caliber tendon with a combination of suture materials passing through and looping around the tendon are not well documented. A secure stitch-tendon unit may be an important factor in preserving muscle function, by facilitating healing without gapping or failure. METHODS Five types of suture methods utilizing four or fewer passes through the tendon end were mechanically tested on 178 canine flexor digitorum profundus tendons. An Instron apparatus was used to test the load to failure. RESULTS The single and double clove-hitch suture methods demonstrated improved repair strength when compared with the three other methods studied in this small-caliber canine tendon model. CONCLUSIONS The single and double clove-hitch suture method better secured the end of a small-caliber tendon compared with other methods. CLINICAL RELEVANCE The single (pull-out) and double (non-pull-out) clove-hitch suture methods are reliable alternatives for the repair of small-caliber tendons.