Article

Studies on the biomechanical properties of meniscus repairs are
usually performed at room instead of body temperature. However, various
all-inside meniscal repair devices include bioabsorbable materials, which are
mechanically sensitive to higher environmental temperatures. Therefore, we
hypothesize that current test standards may systematically lead to a false
overestimation of their performance. METHODS: In 84 cadaveric bovine lateral
menisci, an artificial vertical lesion was repaired with different all-inside
meniscal repair devices (FasT-Fix, FasT-Fix AB, RapidLoc, Meniscus Arrow,
Meniscus Screw) compared to a vertical inside-out Ethibond Excel 2.0 suture loop.
Maximum load-to-failure, stiffness, and failure mode were tested in a uniaxial
distraction loading at 20 degrees C and 37 degrees C. FINDINGS: Most of the
tested implants were not susceptible to the higher environmental test temperature
with respect to maximum load-to-failure, stiffness, and failure mode. Only the
RapidLoc showed a significantly decreased stiffness (-28.1%) and a statistical
trend to lower maximum load-to-failure (-20.6%) at 37 degrees C compared to 20
degrees C. INTERPRETATION: 20 degrees C environmental temperature seems to be an
acceptable test condition for the most meniscal repair devices. However, if the
bioabsorbable part of the implant is the weakest link, body temperature may be
considered for testing to prevent false overestimation of the biomechanical
properties. For future biomechanical in vitro testing of meniscal repair devices,
this study may provide novel insight into biomechanical test protocols for
considering the environmental test temperature as an influencing factor of the
biomechanical properties of especially bioabsorbable meniscal repair devices.
CI - Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS