Q Suture Technique: A Suturing Technique to Reduce Gap Formation and Increase Tensile Strength in Tendon Repair

Abstract

Source: Mao, W. F., et al., Using Q Suture to Enhance Resistance to Gap Formation and Tensile Strength of Repaired Flexor Tendons. J. Vis. Exp. (2020).

In this video, we demonstrate suturing techniques — core suture and Q suture — to repair the foot flexor tendon in an ex vivo porcine model. Q sutures enhance the strength of the core suture in tendon repair and decrease gapping at the tendon repair site.

Protocol

All procedures involving animal models have been reviewed by the local institutional animal care committee and the JoVE veterinary review board. 1. Tendon repair using core suture and Q suture Mark the anterior surface of one of the tendon stumps with 2 points that are 10 mm from the cut tendon end, with each point locating one-fourth of the way from the left (point 1) and the right (point 2), respectively, in the medial-lateral direction (Figure 1A). Mark each of the lef…

Representative Results

Figure 1: 2-strand core suture in tendon repair. (A) Surface of tendon stump was marked with point 1, 2, 3, and 4. (B-E) Core suture in one tendon stump was completed. (F) The entire core suture was completed. (G) Suture was tightened, and knots were tied. <img al…

Materials

4-0 suture	Ethicon, Somerville, NJ	Ethilon 1667
6-0 suture	Ethicon, Somerville, NJ	Ethilon 689