Olecranon fracture fixation utilizing a bioabsorbable tension hand construct: analysis of stability with motion in a cadaveric model

This study was performed to determine if tension band suturing with bioabsorbable materials can maintain fracture (osteotomy) reduction when subjected to an early motion protocol. Olecranon osteotomies were created in 13 cadaveric upper extremities and then sequentially fixed with axial Kirschner wires, and tension band wiring/suturing utilizing: #1 PDS (Ethicon Inc., Somerville, New Jersey, USA), #1 Panacryl (Ethicon Inc.), #2 Panacryl (Ethicon Inc.), and 18 gauge surgical wire. Specimens were cycled through a range of motion in a continuous passive motion machine. Specimens fixed with K-wires only, #1 PDS and #1 Panacryl tension band suturing failed to maintain osteotomy reduction. Only surgical steel and #2 Panacryl maintained osteotomy reduction; both were superior to the other fixation methods (P < 0.001). The #2 Panacryl suture is an excellent choice for a tension band suture construct; it retains 80% of its breaking strength at 3 months, is fully absorbed, and maintains osteotomy reduction throughout a passive motion protocol.