Table 1 The handling characteristics of all test sutures were rated on a five-point scale as follows: 1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good, 4 = fair, and 5 = poor
Primary endpoint | |
Overall handling | The composite evaluation of the suture on all rated characteristics. |
Secondary endpoints | |
Ease of passage | The ease with which a suture passes through the tissue into which it is being implanted. |
First-throw knot holding | Holding opposing tissue edges together with the first throw. |
Knot tie-down smoothness | The capacity of a suture to allow a throw or knot to be tied at some distance from its final location and then slide into place with the next throw. |
Knot security | The quality of a suture that allows it to be tied securely with a minimum number of throws per knot. |
Surgical hand | The surgeon’s gloved feel or tactile reaction to handling the suture. |
Memory | The capacity of a suture to remain relatively free of kinking, curling, and other contortions that may interfere with surgical handling and use. |
Lack of fraying | Capacity of the suture to resist shredding or unraveling. |