Abstract
Aims: Replacing human cadaveric specimens with fresh frozen animal tissue in biomechanical studies has become increasingly more popular due to the scarcity of young human tissue. The aims of this study were to characterise and compare the biomechanical parameters of tailored strips of equine extensor tendon, with 4 strand young human semitendinosus and gracilis (STG) tendons as an alternative tendon model for testing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) graft reconstruction techniques using the Soffix Polyester ACL fixation device.
Method: Common digital extensor tendons were harvested from normal equine forelimbs and tailored into 5 mm wide, 2 strand equine tendon strips. The doubled equine tendons were overlapped and braided around the buttonholes of a Soffix fixation device and secured with No 2 Ethibond sutures (Johnson & Johnson Ltd). The Soffix-4-strand young human STG tendon complex was prepared in an identical manner. Mechanical testing was performed measuring ultimate tensile load (UTL) and elongation to failure (EF), structural stiffness (SS) was calculated from load extension curves.
Results: The Soffix-STG and the equine tendon complexes produced a mean UTL of 1186 N +/− 113.89 and 1116 N +/− 208.5 respectively showing no statistically significant difference.
Conclusions: We conclude that a tailored 5mm wide 2-strand equine extensor tendon strip provides a comparable alternative for in vitro testing of young human four strand STG tendon graft using a Soffix polyester fixation device.
Correspondence should be addressed to EORS Secretariat Mag. Gerlinde M. Jahn, c/o Vienna Medical Academy, Alserstrasse 4, 1090 Vienna, Austria. Fax: +43-1-4078274. Email: eors@medacad.org
