Vet Comp Orthop Traumatol 2008; 21(05): 391-399
DOI: 10.3415/VCOT-07-10-0095
Original Research
Schattauer GmbH

A biomechanical comparison of six different double loop configurations for use in the lateral fabella suture technique

A. M. Wallace
1   Queens Veterinary School Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
,
E. D. Cutting
1   Queens Veterinary School Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
,
M. P. F. Sutcliffe
2   Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
,
S. J. Langley-Hobbs
1   Queens Veterinary School Hospital, Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

Received: 08 October 2007

Accepted 26 April 2007

Publication Date:
21 December 2017 (online)

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Summary

Six different double loop configurations which could be applied to the lateral fabella suture (LFS) technique were subjected to in vitro mechanical testing. Three double loop, single strand and three double loop, double strand configurations were tested. The strongest configuration, with a significantly higher mean ultimate load and load at yield, was the interlocking loop configuration. This is a novel configuration which has not previously been reported. The three double loop, single strand configurations all had higher mean ultimate loads than the double loop, double strand configurations. The double strand group with uneven loop length performed very poorly, with significantly lower mean stiffness and ultimate load than all of the single strand groups. This group also developed unacceptably high levels of elongation during high level cyclic loading.