Abstract
The purpose of this study is to compare the pullout strength of a suture anchor with different numbers of sutures. We specifically reviewed the load at approximately 3mm of displacement at the repair site to be a clinical fixation failure. Anchors were tested in the glenoid of the porcine scapulas. Anchors tested included the Panalok with single No2 Ethibond (PS Group), the Panalok with double No2 Ethibond (PD Group), Panalok Loop with single No2 Ethibond (PLS Group), Panalok Loop with double No2 Ethibond (PLD Group), GII with single No2 Ethibond (GS Group), and GII with double No2 Ethibond (GD Group). An autograph AG-2000TB machine (Shimazu, Japan) applied tensile loads parallel to the axis of insertion to failure, and the mean strength to make 2 and 4mm gaps was calculated. In the cases of forming 2mm gap formations, the PLD group was significantly stronger compared to the PLS group (P=.008). There was also a significant difference between the GS group and the GSD group (P=.008). In the 4mm gap formations, the PS group was significantly stronger compared to the PD group (P=.029). There was a significant difference between the PLS group and the PLD group (P=.032). It is possible that the repair tissues are displaced from the glenoid rim before the ultimate pullout strength is reached. This study demonstrated that the load to create 2 and 4mm of displacement was increased by increasing the number of sutures threaded through an anchor.
