Dynamic Tendon Grip (DTG™) novel knot array compared to traditional sutures for zone two flexor tendon injury – a biomechanical feasibility study

BACKGROUND: Flexor tendon injuries pose many challenges for the treating surgeon, the principal of which is creating a strong enough repair to allow early active motion, preserving a low-profile of the repair to prevent buckling and subsequent pulley venting. A main concern is that a low-profile repair is prone to gap formation and repair failure. The Dynamic Tendon Grip (DTG™) all suture staple device claims to allow a strong and low-profile repair of the flexor tendon. The purpose of this study is to test the effects of the DTG™ device in early active motion simulation on range of motion, load to failure and gap formation and to compare it to traditional suturing technique. METHODS: Twelve fresh-frozen cadaveric fingers were assigned to two groups: DTG™ device (n = 9) and traditional suturing (double Kessler 4-core suture and a peripheral suture, n = 3). The deep flexor was incised and repaired in zone 2, and active motion simulation was carried out with a cyclic flexion–extension machine. Finger range of motion and gap formation were measured, as well as load to failure and method of repair failure. RESULTS: Following motion simulation, ROM decreased from 244.0 ± 9.9° to 234.5 ± 5.8° for the DTG™ device compared to 234.67 ± 6.51° to 211.67 ± 10.50° for traditional suturing. The DTG™ repair demonstrated gap formation of 0.93 ± 0.18 mm in 3 of 8 specimens after applying 1 kg load, which negated after load removal. Load to failure averaged 76.51 ± 23.15 N for DTG™ and 66.31 ± 40.22 N for the traditional repair. Repair failure occurred as the suture material broke for the DTG™ array and at the knot level for the traditional repair. CONCLUSIONS: The DTG™ all-suture stapling concept achieved a strong low-profile repair in zone 2 flexor tendon injury after active motion simulation. Further clinical studies will be needed to determine the effectiveness of this device compared to traditional techniques. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12891-022-05279-9.