TY - JOUR A1 - Schmidt, Karsten A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Hölscher-Doht, Stefanie A1 - Jakubietz, Michael G. A1 - Jakubietz, Rafael G. A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. T1 - Suture material for flexor tendon repair: 3–0 V-Loc versus 3–0 Stratafix in a biomechanical comparison ex vivo N2 - Background Barbed suture material offers the possibility of knotless flexor tendon repair, as suggested in an increasing number of biomechanical studies. There are currently two different absorbable barbed suture products available, V-Loc™ and Stratafix™, and both have not been compared to each other with regard to flexor tendon repair. The purpose of this study was to evaluate both suture materials for primary stability under static and cyclic loading in a biomechanical ex vivo model. Methods Forty fresh porcine flexor digitorum profundus tendons were randomized in two groups. A four-strand modified Kessler suture technique was used to repair the tendon either with a 3–0 V-Loc™ or 3–0 Stratafix™ without a knot. Parameters of interest were mode of failure, 2-mm gap formation force, displacement, stiffness and maximum load under static and cyclic testing. Results The maximum load was 42.3 ± 7.2 for the Stratafix™ group and 50.7 ± 8.8 N for the V-Loc™ group. Thus, the ultimate tensile strength was significantly higher for V-Loc™ (p < 0.05). The 2-mm gap occurred at 24.8 ± 2.04 N in the Stratafix™ group in comparison to 26.5 ± 2.12 N in the V-Loc™ group (n.s.). Displacement was 2.65 ± 0.56 mm in the V-Loc™ group and 2.71 ± 0.59 mm in the Stratafix™ group (n.s.). Stiffness was 4.24 ± 0.68 (N/mm) in the V-Loc™ group and 3.85 ± 0.55 (N/mm) the Stratafix™ group (n.s.). Those measured differences were not significant. Conclusion V-Loc™ demonstrates a higher maximum load in tendon reconstruction. The differences in 2-mm gap formation force, displacement and stiffness were not significant. Hereby, the V-Loc™ has an advantage when used as unidirectional barbed suture for knotless flexor tendon repair. KW - Barbed suture KW - Barbed suture material KW - Flexor tendon repair KW - Knotless tendon repair KW - Stratafix KW - V-Loc Y1 - 2014 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-110419 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Paul, Mila M. A1 - Mieden, Hannah J. A1 - Lefering, Rolf A1 - Kupczyk, Eva K. A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Gilbert, Fabian A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Sirén, Anna-Leena A1 - Hoelscher-Doht, Stefanie T1 - Impact of a femoral fracture on outcome after traumatic brain injury — a matched-pair analysis of the TraumaRegister DGU\(^®\) JF - Journal of Clinical Medicine N2 - Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death and disability in polytrauma and is often accompanied by concomitant injuries. We conducted a retrospective matched-pair analysis of data from a 10-year period from the multicenter database TraumaRegister DGU\(^®\) to analyze the impact of a concomitant femoral fracture on the outcome of TBI patients. A total of 4508 patients with moderate to critical TBI were included and matched by severity of TBI, American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) risk classification, initial Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), age, and sex. Patients who suffered combined TBI and femoral fracture showed increased mortality and worse outcome at the time of discharge, a higher chance of multi-organ failure, and a rate of neurosurgical intervention. Especially those with moderate TBI showed enhanced in-hospital mortality when presenting with a concomitant femoral fracture (p = 0.037). The choice of fracture treatment (damage control orthopedics vs. early total care) did not impact mortality. In summary, patients with combined TBI and femoral fracture have higher mortality, more in-hospital complications, an increased need for neurosurgical intervention, and inferior outcome compared to patients with TBI solely. More investigations are needed to decipher the pathophysiological consequences of a long-bone fracture on the outcome after TBI. KW - traumatic brain injury KW - femoral fracture KW - damage control orthopedics KW - mortality Y1 - 2023 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-319363 SN - 2077-0383 VL - 12 IS - 11 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kippnich, Maximilian A1 - Duempert, Maximilian A1 - Schorscher, Nora A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Kunz, Andreas S. A1 - Meybohm, Patrick A1 - Wurmb, Thomas T1 - Simultaneous treatment of trauma patients in a dual room trauma suite with integrated movable sliding gantry CT system: an observational study JF - Scientific Reports N2 - The trauma center of the University Hospital Wuerzburg has developed an advanced trauma pathway based on a dual-room trauma suite with an integrated movable sliding gantry CT-system. This enables simultaneous CT-diagnostics and treatment of two trauma patients. The focus of this study was to investigate the quality of the concept based on defined outcome criteria in this specific setting (time from arrival to initiation of CT scan: tCT; time from arrival to initiation of emergency surgery: tES). We analyzed all trauma patients admitted to the hospital’s trauma suite from 1st May 2019 through 29th April 2020. Two subgroups were defined: trauma patients, who were treated without a second trauma patient present (group 1) and patients, who were treated simultaneously with another trauma patient (group 2). Simultaneous treatment was defined as parallel arrival within a period of 20 min. Of 423 included trauma patients, 46 patients (10.9%) were treated simultaneously. Car accidents were the predominant trauma mechanism in this group (19.6% vs. 47.8%, p < 0.05). Prehospital life-saving procedures were performed with comparable frequency in both groups (intubation 43.5% vs. 39%, p = 0.572); pleural drainage 3.2% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.708; cardiopulmonary resuscitation 5% vs. 2.2%, p = 0.387). At hospital admission, patients in group 2 suffered significantly more pain (E-problem according to Advanced Trauma Life Support principles©; 29.2% vs. 45.7%, p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in the clinical treatment (emergency procedures, vasopressor and coagulant therapy, and transfusion of red blood cells). tCT was 6 (4–10) minutes (median and IQR) in group 1 and 8 (5–15.5) minutes in group 2 (p = 0.280). tES was 90 (78–106) minutes in group 1 and 99 (97–108) minutes in group 2 (p = 0.081). The simultaneous treatment of two trauma patients in a dual-room trauma suite with an integrated movable sliding gantry CT-system requires a medical, organizational, and technical concept adapted to this special setting. Despite the oftentimes serious and life-threatening injuries, optimal diagnostic and therapeutic procedures can be guaranteed for two simultaneous trauma patients at an individual medical level in consistent quality. KW - dual-room trauma suite KW - movable sliding gantry KW - CT Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-299695 VL - 12 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Zimmermann, Christina A1 - Gho, Sheridan A. A1 - Frey, Sönke P. A1 - Blunk, Torsten A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Hoelscher-Doht, Stefanie T1 - Biomechanical analysis of different osteosyntheses and the combination with bone substitute in tibial head depression fractures JF - BMC Musculoskeletal Disorders N2 - Background Tibial head depression fractures demand a high level of fracture stabilization to prevent a secondary loss of reduction after surgery. Elderly individuals are at an increased risk of developing these fractures, and biomechanical investigations of the fractures are rare. Therefore, the aim of this study was to systematically analyze different types of osteosyntheses in combination with two commonly used bone substitutes. Methods Lateral tibial head depression fractures were created in synthetic bones. After reduction, the fractures were stabilized with eight different treatment options of osteosynthesis alone or in combination with a bone substitute. Two screws, 4 screws and a lateral buttress plate were investigated. As a bone substitute, two common clinically used calcium phosphate cements, Norian® Drillable and ChronOS™ Inject, were applied. Displacement of the articular fracture fragment (mm) during cyclic loading, stiffness (N/mm) and maximum load (N) in Load-to-Failure tests were measured. Results The three different osteosyntheses (Group 1: 2 screws, group 2: 4 screws, group 3: plate) alone revealed a significantly higher displacement compared to the control group (Group 7: ChronOS™ Inject only) (Group 1, 7 [p < 0.01]; group 2, 7 [p = 0.04]; group 3, 7 [p < 0.01]). However, the osteosyntheses in combination with bone substitute exhibited no differences in displacement compared to the control group. The buttress plate demonstrated a higher normalized maximum load than the 2 and 4 screw osteosynthesis. Comparing the two different bone substitutes to each other, ChronOS™ inject had a significantly higher stiffness and lower displacement than Norian® Drillable. Conclusions The highest biomechanical stability under maximal loading was provided by a buttress plate osteosynthesis. A bone substitute, such as the biomechanically favorable ChronOS™ Inject, is essential to reduce the displacement under lower loading. KW - tibial fracture fixation KW - tibial head fracture KW - biomechanical test KW - static test KW - cyclic test Y1 - 2016 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-161201 VL - 17 IS - 287 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Jäckle, Veronika A1 - Scheidt, Sebastian A1 - Gilbert, Fabian A1 - Hölscher-Doht, Stefanie A1 - Ergün, Süleyman A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Heintel, Timo M. T1 - Trans-obturator cable fixation of open book pelvic injuries JF - Scientific Reports N2 - Operative treatment of ruptured pubic symphysis by plating is often accompanied by complications. Trans-obturator cable fixation might be a more reliable technique; however, have not yet been tested for stabilization of ruptured pubic symphysis. This study compares symphyseal trans-obturator cable fixation versus plating through biomechanical testing and evaluates safety in a cadaver experiment. APC type II injuries were generated in synthetic pelvic models and subsequently separated into three different groups. The anterior pelvic ring was fixed using a four-hole steel plate in Group A, a stainless steel cable in Group B, and a titan band in Group C. Biomechanical testing was conducted by a single-leg-stance model using a material testing machine under physiological load levels. A cadaver study was carried out to analyze the trans-obturator surgical approach. Peak-to-peak displacement, total displacement, plastic deformation and stiffness revealed a tendency for higher stability for trans-obturator cable/band fixation but no statistical difference to plating was detected. The cadaver study revealed a safe zone for cable passage with sufficient distance to the obturator canal. Trans-obturator cable fixation has the potential to become an alternative for symphyseal fixation with less complications. KW - anatomy KW - medical research Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261212 VL - 11 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Jäckle, Veronika A1 - Scheidt, Sebastian A1 - Eden, Lars A1 - Gilbert, Fabian A1 - Heintel, Timo M. A1 - Jansen, Hendrik A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. T1 - Ergebnisse nach Plattenstabilisierung der Symphysensprengung JF - Der Unfallchirurg N2 - Hintergrund Die Symphysensprengung mit entsprechender Diastase kann durch eine Symphysenplatte stabilisiert werden. Fragestellung Welche Beckenverletzungen werden mit einer Symphysenplatte stabilisiert und wie ist das Outcome? Material und Methoden Retrospektive Auswertung von 64 Patienten über einen Untersuchungszeitraum von 24 Monaten. Ergebnisse Es waren 56 Patienten männlich, 8 weiblich und das mittlere Alter betrug 44 Jahre (SD ± 17). Unfälle im Straßenverkehr waren der führende Grund für die Beckenverletzung. Die Verteilung nach AO-Klassifikation zeigte sich wie folgt: 14-mal B1-, 10-mal B2-, 5‑mal B3-, 23-mal C1-, 9‑mal C2- und 3‑mal C3-Verletzungen. Die Verteilung nach Young und Burgess ergab: 9‑mal APC-I-, 18-mal APC-II-, 13-mal APC-III-, 9‑mal LC-I-, 3‑mal LC-II-, 2‑mal LC-III- und 10-mal VS-Verletzungen. Der mittlere Injury Severity Score (ISS) betrug 32 und die mittlere stationäre Verweildauer 29 Tage (pos. Korrelation p ≤ 0,001). Im Verlauf war eine radiologische Implantatlockerung bei 52 Patienten nachweisbar. Therapierelevante Komplikationen gab es in 14 Fällen. Hierbei war das Implantatversagen (n = 8) der Hauptgrund für eine operative Revision. Diskussion Obwohl die radiologische Implantatlockerung häufig beobachtet wird, ist sie nur selten Grund für einen Revisionseingriff. Kommt es hingegen zum vollständigen Implantatversagen, tritt dies meist innerhalb der ersten postoperativen Wochen auf und ist revisionsbedürftig. Eine frühzeitige Abklärung durch Röntgenbildgebung sollte bei Verdacht erfolgen. N2 - Background Separation of the pubic symphysis with corresponding diastasis can be stabilized by symphyseal plating. Objective Which pelvic injuries are stabilized with symphyseal plating and what is their outcome? Material and methods A retrospective evaluation of 64 patients who underwent symphyseal plating over a period of 24 months was conducted. Results Of the patients 56 were male and 8 female with a mean age of 44 years (SD ± 17 years). The main cause of the pelvic injuries were traffic accidents. The distribution according to the AO fracture classification was 14 × B1, 10 × B2, 5 × B3, 23 × C1, 9 × C2 and 3 × C3 injuries. The distribution according to the Young and Burgess classification showed 9 × APC I, 18 × APC II, 13 × APC III, 9 × LC I, 3 × LC II, 2 × LC III and 10 × VS injuries. The mean Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 32 (SD ± 17) and the mean inpatient stay was 29 days (SD ± 16 days; positive correlation p ≤ 0.001). Radiological implant loosening occurred in 52 patients. 14 patients required treatment for severe complications. The leading reason for revision surgery was implant failure (n = 8). Conclusion These observations suggest that radiological signs of implant loosening are commonly observed but rarely the reason for revision surgery. Complete implant failures, however; occur mainly within the first postoperative weeks and require early revision. A timely clarification by additional X-ray imaging should be carried out if this is suspected. KW - Beckenring KW - Beckenfraktur KW - AO KW - Fixation KW - Trauma KW - pelvic ring KW - pelciv fracture KW - AO KW - fixation KW - trauma Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-232447 SN - 0177-5537 VL - 123 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Jovic, Sebastian A1 - Gilbert, Fabian A1 - Kunz, Andreas A1 - Ertl, Maximilian A1 - Strobl, Ute A1 - Jakubietz, Rafael G. A1 - Jakubietz, Michael G. A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Fuchs, Konrad F. T1 - Qualitätssteigerung der Abrechnungsprüfung durch Smartphone-basierte Fotodokumentation in der Unfall-, Hand-, und Plastischen Chirurgie JF - Der Unfallchirurg N2 - Hintergrund Die Fotodokumentation von offenen Frakturen, Wunden, Dekubitalulzera, Tumoren oder Infektionen ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der digitalen Patientenakte. Bisher ist unklar, welchen Stellenwert diese Fotodokumentation bei der Abrechnungsprüfung durch den Medizinischen Dienst der Krankenkassen (MDK) hat. Fragestellung Kann eine Smartphone-basierte Fotodokumentation die Verteidigung von erlösrelevanten Diagnosen und Prozeduren sowie der Verweildauer verbessern? Material und Methoden Ausstattung der Mitarbeiter mit digitalen Endgeräten (Smartphone/Tablet) in den Bereichen Notaufnahme, Schockraum, OP, Sprechstunden sowie auf den Stationen. Retrospektive Auswertung der Abrechnungsprüfung im Jahr 2019 und Identifikation aller Fallbesprechungen, in denen die Fotodokumentation eine Erlösveränderung bewirkt hat. Ergebnisse Von insgesamt 372 Fallbesprechungen half die Fotodokumentation in 27 Fällen (7,2 %) zur Bestätigung eines Operationen- und Prozedurenschlüssels (OPS) (n = 5; 1,3 %), einer Hauptdiagnose (n = 10; 2,7 %), einer Nebendiagnose (n = 3; 0,8 %) oder der Krankenhausverweildauer (n = 9; 2,4 %). Pro oben genanntem Fall mit Fotodokumentation ergab sich eine durchschnittliche Erlössteigerung von 2119 €. Inklusive Aufwandpauschale für die Verhandlungen wurde somit ein Gesamtbetrag von 65.328 € verteidigt. Diskussion Der Einsatz einer Smartphone-basierten Fotodokumentation kann die Qualität der Dokumentation verbessern und Erlöseinbußen bei der Abrechnungsprüfung verhindern. Die Implementierung digitaler Endgeräte mit entsprechender Software ist ein wichtiger Teil des digitalen Strukturwandels in Kliniken. N2 - Background Photographic documentation of wounds, decubitus ulcers, tumors, open fractures and infections is an important part of digital patient files. It is unclear whether the photographic documentation has an effect on medical accounting with health insurance companies. Objective It was hypothesized that Smartphone-based systematic photographic documentation can improve the confirmation of proceeds-relevant diagnoses and procedures as well as the duration. Material and methods Staff in the emergency room, operating theater, outpatient clinic and on the wards were equipped with digital devices (Smartphone, tablet) including a photo-app. Medical accounting with the health insurance companies and identification of all case conferences in which the photographic documentation had effected a change in proceeds were analyzed for 2019 in a retrospective manner. Results Overall, 372 cases were discussed of which 27 cases were affected by the digital photographic documentation. Photographic documentation was used for clarification of the operative procedure (n = 5), primary diagnosis (n = 10), secondary diagnosis (n = 3), and length of hospitalization (n = 9). An average of 2119 € was negotiated and added per case affected by photographic documentation. Hereby, a level 1 trauma center gained an estimated 65,328 € in revenue. Discussion The use of Smartphone based photographic documentation can improve the overall quality of patient files and thus avoid loss of revenue. The implementation of digital devices with corresponding software is an important component of the digital structural change in hospitals. KW - Digitalisierung KW - Gesundheits-App KW - Künstliche Intelligenz KW - Plattform KW - Strukturwandel KW - artificial intelligence KW - database KW - digital transformation KW - photo app KW - surgery Y1 - 2020 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-232415 SN - 0177-5537 VL - 124 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Jansen, Hendrik A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Heintel, Timo M. T1 - Comparing porous tantalum fusion implants and iliac crest bone grafts for spondylodesis of thoracolumbar burst fractures: Prospectice Cohort study JF - Scientific Reports N2 - The aim of this study was to compare two different techniques of performing one-level spondylodesis for thoracolumbar burst fractures using either an autologous iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) or a porous tantalum fusion implant (PTFI). In a prospective nonrandomized study, 44 patients (20 women, 24 men; average age 43.1 +/- 13.2 years) suffering from severe thoracolumbar burst fractures were treated with combined anterior-posterior stabilization. An ICBG was used in 21 cases, and a PTFI was used in the other 23 cases. A two-year clinical and radiographic follow-up was carried out. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, localization/classification of the fracture, or visual analog scale (VAS) before injury between the two groups. All 44 patients were followed up for an average period of 533 days (range 173-1567). The sagittal spinal profile was restored by an average of 11.1 degrees (ICBG) vs. 14.3 degrees (PTFI) (monosegmental Cobb angle). Loss of correction until the last follow-up tended to be higher in the patients treated with ICBG than in those treated with PTFI (mean: 2.8 degrees vs. 1.6 degrees). Furthermore, significantly better restoration of the sagittal profile was obtained with the PTFI than with the iliac bone graft at the long-term follow-up (mean: ICBG 7.8 degrees, PTFI 12.3 degrees; p < 0.005). Short-segment posterior instrumentation combined with anterior one-level spondylodesis using either an ICBG or a PTFI resulted in sufficient correction of posttraumatic segmental kyphosis. PTFI might be a good alternative for autologous bone grafting and prevent donor site morbidities. KW - fracture repair KW - musculoskeletal system Y1 - 2021 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-261706 VL - 11 IS - 1 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Hufnagel, Lukas A1 - McDonogh, Miriam A1 - Paul, Mila M. A1 - Schmalzl, Jonas A1 - Kupczyk, Eva A1 - Jansen, Hendrik A1 - Heilig, Philipp A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. A1 - Hoelscher-Doht, Stefanie T1 - Surgical fixation of calcaneal beak fractures — biomechanical analysis of different osteosynthesis techniques JF - Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology N2 - The calcaneal beak fracture is a rare avulsion fracture of the tuber calcanei characterized by a solid bony fragment at the Achilles tendon insertion. Treatment usually requires osteosynthesis. However, lack of biomechanical understanding of the ideal fixation technique persists. A beak fracture was simulated in synthetic bones and assigned to five different groups of fixation: A) 6.5-mm partial threaded cannulated screws, B) 4.0-mm partial threaded cannulated screws, C) 5.0-mm headless cannulated compression screws, D) 2.3-mm locking plate, and E) 2.8-mm locking plate. Different traction force levels were applied through an Achilles tendon surrogate in a material-testing machine on all stabilized synthetic bones. Outcome measures were peak-to-peak displacement, total displacement, plastic deformation, stiffness, visual-fracture-line displacement, and mode of implant failure. The 2.3- and 2.8-mm plating groups showed a high drop-out rate at 100 N tension force and failed under higher tension levels of 200 N. The fracture fixation using 4.0-mm partial threaded screws showed a significantly higher repair strength and was able to withhold cyclic loading up to 300 N. The lowest peak-to-peak displacement and the highest load-to-failure and stiffness were provided by fracture fixation using 6.5-mm partial threaded cannulated screws or 5.0-mm headless cannulated compression screws. As anticipated, large 6.5-mm screw diameters provide the best biomechanical fixation. Surprisingly, the 5.0-mm headless cannulated compression screws yield reliable stability despite the absent screw head and washer. When such large screws cannot be applied, 4.0-mm screws also allow reasonable fixation strength. Plate fixation should be implemented with precaution and in combination with a restrictive postoperative motion protocol. Finally, clinical cases about the surgical application and recovery are included. KW - foot KW - ankle KW - Achilles KW - tendon KW - fracture Y1 - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-282792 SN - 2296-4185 VL - 10 ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Jordan, Martin C. A1 - Hoelscher-Doht, Stefanie A1 - Fehske, Kai A1 - Gilbert, Fabian A1 - Jansen, Hendrik A1 - Meffert, Rainer H. T1 - Bunnell or cross-lock Bunnell suture for tendon repair? Defining the biomechanical role of suture pretension JF - Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery and Research N2 - Background Suture pretension during tendon repair is supposed to increase the resistance to gap formation. However, its effects on the Bunnell suture technique are unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the biomechanical effects of suture pretension on the Bunnell and cross-lock Bunnell techniques for tendon repair. Methods Eighty porcine hindlimb tendons were randomly assigned to four different tendon repair groups: those repaired with or without suture pretension using either a simple Bunnell or cross-lock Bunnell technique. Pretension was applied as a 10 % shortening of the sutured tendon. After measuring the cross-sectional diameter at the repair site, static and cyclic biomechanical tests were conducted to evaluate the initial and 5-mm gap formation forces, elongation during cyclic loading, maximum tensile strength, and mode of failure. The suture failure mechanism was also separately assessed fluoroscopically in two tendons that were repaired with steel wire. Results Suture pretension was accompanied by a 10 to 15 % increase in the tendon diameter at the repair site. Therefore, suture pretension with the Bunnell and cross-lock Bunnell repair techniques noticeably increased the resistance to initial gap formation and 5-mm gap formation. The tension-free cross-lock Bunnell repair demonstrated more resistance to initial and 5-mm gap formation, less elongation, and higher maximum tensile strength than the tension-free Bunnell repair technique. The only difference between the tensioned cross-lock Bunnell and tensioned Bunnell techniques was a larger resistance to 5-mm gap formation with the cross-lock Bunnell technique. Use of the simple instead of cross-lock suture configuration led to failure by suture cut out, as demonstrated fluoroscopically. Conclusion Based on these results, suture pretension decreases gapping and elongation after tendon repair, and those effects are stronger when using a cross-lock, rather than a regular Bunnell suture. However, pretension causes an unfavorable increase in the tendon diameter at the repair site, which may adversely affect wound healing. KW - suture KW - cross-lock KW - Bunnell KW - achilles KW - pretension KW - tendon Y1 - 2015 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-126262 VL - 10 IS - 192 ER -