Mechanical behavior of chemically treated ostrich pericardium subjected to uniaxial tensile testing: influence of the suture.

The mechanical behavior of sutured ostrich pericardium was studied by uniaxial tensile testing. One hundred forty-four tissue specimens were assessed: 96 sutured samples (48 in which a centrally located suture was placed at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the longitudinal axis, whereas in the remaining 48, a centrally located suture was placed at a 45 degrees angle to the longitudinal axis, in sets of 12 samples each, sewn with sutures made of Gore-Tex, nylon, Prolene, or silk), and 48 unsutured controls. Each group of 24 samples sewn at one angle or the other with the different suture materials was assayed together with a corresponding control group of 12 unsutured samples. The mean tensile strengths in the unsutured controls ranged between 30.16 MPa and 43.42 MPa, whereas those of the sutured sets ranged from 14.68 MPa to 21.91 MPa. The latter presented a statistically significant loss of resistance (p < 0.01) when compared with the unsutured tissue samples. The angle of the suture with respect to the longitudinal axis influenced the degree of shear stress produced by the suture, as well as the behavior of the different suture materials used. The set of samples sewn with Prolene appeared to be that most sensitive to changes in the angle of the suture, whereas tissue sewn at a 45 degrees angle with Gore-Tex presented lower shear stress values in comparison with samples in which the other three materials were used. A method of tissue selection based on morphological and mechanical criteria was used to ensure the homogeneity of the results in such a way that the coefficients of determination (R2) for the stress/strain curve fitting equation ranged between 0.888 and 0.995. This excellent fit made it possible, applying regression analysis, to predict the mechanical behavior of a specimen by determining that of a contiguous tissue sample. Thus, it should be possible, at least theoretically, to characterize the behavior of a specific region or zone of the biomaterial. In conclusion, ostrich pericardium exhibits strong resistance to rupture, even when sutured. The selection method used ensures the homogeneity of the samples and, thus, of the results. The angle of the suture with respect to the longitudinal axis, where the load is centered, determines the shear stress produced by the suture and the mechanical behavior of each suture material.
(Copyright 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)