Investigating the Effect of Knot Configuration and Suture Diameter on the Knot Performance of Silk Sutures

Abstract

Knot configurations serve as the foundation for postoperative tissue repair. Loosening surgical knots during or after tying might lead to an unsuccessful suture and compromise the outcome. This investigation was car­ried out to study the mechanical properties of knotted silk sutures that are made from braided structures with three different diameters. A maximum tensile strength (33.24 N) and minimum breaking elongation (15%) of dry suture, maximum tensile strength (22.6 N) and minimum breaking elongation (13.6%) of wet suture were achieved with five throws and a diameter of 0.3 mm with surgeon’s square knot.