Affiliations: [a] Istituto di Ricerca Traslazionale per L'Apparato Locomotore Nicola Cerulli, LPMRI, Arezzo, Italy | [b] Thoracic Surgery Unit, University of Perugia Medical School, Perugia, Italy
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Gian Luca Gervasi, Istituto di Ricerca Traslazionale per l'Apparato Locomotore Nicola Cerulli, LPMRI, srl, via Einstein 12/L 52100 Arezzo, Italy. Tel.: +39 0575 194 8542; E-mail:gluca.gervasi@gmail.com
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Biomechanical behaviour evaluation of a suture is an
important information for the surgeon to choose the best technique to
perform. OBJECTIVE: To assess the biomechanical behavior of the native
and mechanically sutured bronchi. METHODS: Ten bronchi were harvested from slaughtered pigs and
then randomly separated in two groups, a control intact group and a sutured
group where specimens were cut in half and sutured, to evaluate mechanical
properties during a tensile test using a loading frame machine.
In addition optoelectric motion tracking system was used to evaluate suture
profile motion during the test. RESULTS: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were found between
the two groups for the parameters investigated. The control group showed a
higher maximal stress resistance and stiffness than the suture group, while
elongation at rupture was increased in the sutured group. All the sutures
broke in symmetric manner, as the mean of the side difference of the sutured
specimens was 0.93 ± 0.80 mm at rupture. CONCLUSIONS: Biomechanical behaviour of native and sutured
bronchi was evaluated, giving highly reproducible parameters regarding
mechanical properties that may help clinicians and bioengineers to
rationalize the choice for a particular suture material or suture technique,
increasing surgical outcomes.
