Knot holding capacity of two different high-strength sutures—a biomechanical analysis

Purpose The number of seven required throws per knot was previously reported as providing sufficient security against slippage. A novel high-strength suture featuring dynamic tightening may allow for throw number reduction without compromising stability. The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the influence of the throw number and the effect of different ambient conditions on the knot security of two different high-strength sutures, and (2) compare their biomechanical competence. Methods Two sutures (FiberWire (FW) and DynaCord (DC)) were considered for preparing alternating surgical knots. The specimens were stratified for exposure to different media during biomechanical testing—namely air (dry), saline solution (wet), and fat (fatty-wet). A monotonic tensile ramp loading to failure was applied in each test run. For each suture and ambient condition, seven specimens with three to seven throws each were tested ( n = 7), evaluating their slippage and ultimate force to failure. The minimum number of throws preventing suture unraveling was determined for each suture type and condition. Results For each suture type and condition, failure occurred via rupture in all specimens for the following minimum number of throws: FW—dry–7, wet–7, fatty-wet–7; DC—dry–6, wet–4, fatty-wet–5. When applying seven throws, FW demonstrated significantly larger slippage (6.5 ± 2.2 mm) versus DC (3.5 ± 0.4 mm) in wet ( p = 0.004) but not in dry and fatty-wet conditions ( p ≥ 0.313). Conclusions The lower number of throws providing knot security of DC versus FW in the more realistic wet and fatty-wet conditions indicates that the novel DC suture may allow to decrease the foreign body volume and save surgical time without compromising the biomechanical competence.