Fixation strength of meniscal repair devices

The aim of this study was to measure and compare the ultimate failure strengths and cyclic fatigue strengths of currently available meniscal suturing devices. No statistically significant difference in failure load was found between a vertical loop suture (mean 46.3 N) a horizontal mattress suture (52.5 N), the T-Ex Device(R) (47.5 N), and the 16-mm (39.2 N) and 13-mm (32.8 N) Bionix Arrow(R). Statistically inferior results were seen with the 10-mm Bionix Arrow(R) (18.8 N), the S.D. Sorb Stapler(R) (4.3 N) and the 12-mm Arthrex Meniscal Dart(R) (10.5 N) (P < 0.01). The Mitek Meniscal Repair System(R) (28.1 N) performed intermediate, with significantly better results than the S.D. Sorb Stapler(R) and the 12-mm Arthrex Dart(R), but significantly worse than the vertical and horizontal sutures, the T-fix(R) and Bionix 16-mm Device(R) (P < 0.01). Cyclic fatigue strength was significantly less for the 10-mm Bionix Arrow(R), the S.D. Sorb Stapler(R), and the 12-mm Arthrex Meniscal Dart(R) (P < 0.01) compared to all other devices. We conclude that the 13- and 16-mm Bionix Arrow(R) and the T-fix Device(R) have comparable ultimate failure strengths and cyclic fatigue strengths to conventional meniscal suturing techniques. The 10-mm Bionix Arrow(R), S.D. Sorb Stapler(R), and the 12-mm Arthrex Meniscal Dart(R), however, have far inferior failure and cyclic fatigue strengths and their clinical application should be questioned. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.