BACKGROUND: Studies of the surgeon's skill and the ergonomics of task performance in endoscopic surgery can be based on knot-tying tasks, The aim of this study was to establish an objective method for assessing the quality of surgical knots for use in such studies. METHODS: In all, 2,700 surgeon's endoscopic knots were studied. Each knot was distracted using a tensiometer, and a computerized system analyzed force-extension curves, The breaking force was taken as an index of knot strength while the force integrated over the slope of the curve reflected knot tightening, A knot quality score (KQS) was obtained from the product of the knot-breaking force and the integrated force expressed as a percentage of the product for the untied ligature. RESULTS: The mean breaking force (24 Newton +/- 2.5) and integrated force (7.4 Newton +/- 2.8) for broken knots were 71% and 35%, respectively, of those for untied ligature. The integrated force yielded a narrower range of variability for untied ligature (SD 3.5% of mean) than for knots (SD 37% of mean), The KQS was higher for broken (25.3% +/- 10.3%) than slipped knots (7.1% +/- 5.1%), CONCLUSION: The KQS provides a reliable assessment of knot security and reflects the strength and degree of tightening of the knot. (C) 1997 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.
