Evaluating barbed sutures: A porcine biomechanical comparison of Z-plasty and turndown flap according to Silfverskiöld.

Bürger, Henry V; Alexander, Jahnke; Torben, Harz; Fonseca-Ulloa, Carlos A; Rickert, Markus; Stolz, Dirk · J Orthop · 2025

biomechanical · Level V

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Abstract

It is not possible to add an infinite amount of suture material to tendon plasties and repairs in vivo. Each additional knot can reduce the tensile strength by up to 50 %. Therefore, barbed sutures, as a knotless suturing system, should be investigated as a potential alternative to traditional sutures to minimize knot-related weakening. Superficial porcine flexors were randomized into five groups. A non-contact measurement was utilized. The Z-plasty and the turndown flap according to Silfverskiöld were used. The Stratafix barbed knotless suture was compared to regular smooth polydioxanone. The biomechanical protocol included a creep test, a cyclic test, and a tear-off test. The Z-plasty with Stratafix showed significantly improved maximum force compared to the Z-plasty with Polydioxanon (PDS 108.5 ± 22.2N, Stratafix 142.3 ± 23.5N, p < .01). The Z-plasty was significantly superior to the turndown flap in maximum Force (turndownflap with Stratafix 52.4 ± 14.6N, Z-plasty with Stratafix 108.5 ± 22.2N, p < .001). The Stratafix barbed suture can significantly improve the Z-plasty in maximum tension by up to 32 % when compared to regular PDS. To formulate a more precise indication, biological factors must be further investigated.