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In situ degradation of 11/0 polyester (mersilene) suture material following cataract surgery.

Two hundred and ten patients (231 eyes) had their cataract sections closed with 11/0 polyester suture material over a 4 year period. Their case sheets were assessed to determine the number of eyes from which sutures had been removed prior to discharge, and for what reasons these sutures were removed. Ninety-seven patients (107 eyes) with sutures left in situ were further assessed to determine whether they were suffering from any suture-related symptoms and examined to determine the degree of clinical biodegradation experienced by the sutures. Six of these sutures were removed for electron microscopic examination. Of the 231 eyes initially included, 61 sutures (26.4%) had been removed prior to discharge. None of the 107 sutures examined showed evidence of clinical biodegradation; this was confirmed by electron microscopic analysis which showed only minimal erosion of sutures even after 48 months in situ.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Evaluation of suture caliber in flexor tendon repair.

This biomechanical study investigated the effect of suture caliber variation on tensile strength in 3 types of 2-strand flexor tendon repairs. Each type of repair was constructed with 5-0, 4-0, 3-0, and 2-0 braided polyester suture. Linear distraction was performed on 120 repaired human cadaveric flexor digitorum profundus tendons until tensile failure occurred. Ten trials of each repair construct were tested. Analysis of variance revealed significant main effects of caliber and technique. Mean repair strength increased as suture caliber increased. A 4-0 suture was 66% stronger than a 5-0 suture, a 3-0 suture was 52% stronger than a 4-0 suture, and a 2-0 suture was 51% stronger than a 3-0 suture. The technique effected repair strength only with the larger 2-0 and 3-0 suture calibers, which tested the technique's capacity to hold the tendon.

Analysis of Variance↗

Sutureless and reduced suture anastomosis of hollow vessels with fibrin glue: a review.

Research in reduced suture fibrin glue (FG) and sutureless FG anastomosis has been lagging behind FG utilization in other surgical fields. A review of the literature for vascular, esophageal, tracheal, gastrointestinal, common bile duct, ureteral, vas deferens, and Fallopian tube FG anastomosis indicates that reduced suture FG and sutureless FG procedures may be performed with less training, reduced operating time, leakage, ischemia, inflammation, and necrosis compared to sutured techniques. Reduced suture FG vascular anastomosis augments early anastomotic strength. Suture number for esophageal, tracheal, and tracheobronchial anastomoses can be reduced with FG. Bursting strength in pig small intestine and rat colon was lower at 4 days postoperatively, but returned to sutured strength at 7 days. Mortality was unaffected, and 18-month follow-up in sutureless FG intestinal anastomosis in pigs showed no stenosis. Preliminary ureteral studies have demonstrated successful sutureless FG and reduced suture FG laparoscopic techniques in pigs. Reduced suture FG and sutureless FG vas deferens anastomosis may reduce sperm granuloma rates, with increased patency and pregnancy rates. Patency and pregnancy rates have been similar for tubal FG, reduced suture FG, autologous fibrin glue (AFG), and sutured anastomosis. Any risk of viral transmission or immune response is eliminated by AFG. While there are few studies in many areas of FG hollow vessel anastomosis, the current literature illustrates many of the advantages of FG over other anastomotic techniques and should provide impetus for continued research in this promising field of surgery.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Effect of argon-beam coagulation on the integrity of suture material.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of argon-beam coagulator (ABC) energy on suture materials. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six absorbable and nonabsorbable suture materials (polyglactin, chromic catgut, polydioxanone, silk, poliglecaprone, and Gore-Tex) were placed under tension and exposed to ABC energy to determine breaking times. Subsequently, all suture materials were exposed to limited ABC energy, and tensiometry was used to determine decreases in breaking strengths. RESULTS: Among the suture materials tested, Gore-Tex was the most resistant to ABC energy. Although absorbable suture materials were less resistant than nonabsorbable suture materials, 2-0 polyglactin manifested the greatest resiliance to deterioration with ABC energy exposure. CONCLUSIONS: The ABC has differential effects on suture materials. Larger-gauge suture materials are more resistant to ABC than smaller materials. Similarly, nonabsorbable sutures are generally more resilient to ABC energy than absorbable materials. Among the suture materials evaluated in our in vitro model, 2-0 Gore-Tex was best suited for vascular ligation, and 2-0 polyglactin is optimal for renal collecting system closure if ABC is anticipated as an adjunct for hemostasis.

Absorbable Implants↗

Regeneration of the sagittal suture by GTR and its impact on growth of the cranial vault.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bone grafting, suture transplantation, and guided tissue regeneration (GTR) treatment on healing of craniectomy defects involving the sagittal cranial suture and on the growth of the cranial vault. Fifty 4-week-old rats were included in the study. A 5.0 mm wide trephine defect was created with its midline corresponding to the sagittal cranial suture between the coronal and occipital cranial vault sutures. The animals were randomly allocated to five groups of 10 animals. Group A: The cranial defect was left untreated. Group B: An occipital bone graft was placed into the cranial defect. Group C: A cranial bone graft including a portion of the frontal suture was placed in the cranial defect. Group D: The cerebral and galeal aspect of the defect were covered with an e-PTFE membrane. Group E: The animals were sham-operated, no defect was created. In all animals, two gutta-percha points were placed demarcating the lateral borders of the parietal bones. Histological analysis at 4 months following surgery showed that the untreated cranial defects healed with fibrous connective tissue. The bone-grafted defects healed partially with bone and connective tissue in the periphery of the bone graft. The healing of suture-grafted defects resembled that of the bone-grafted defects, since the transplanted suture became completely obliterated with bone. The membrane-treated defects healed with bone and a suture-like tissue resembling the sagittal suture of the sham-operated controls. Cephalometric measurements demonstrated that membrane-treated and sham-operated control animals exhibited significantly more (P < 0.05) coronal growth (approximately 1.2 mm) than that of the remaining three groups of animals (approximately 0.7 mm). These findings were supported by the craniometry measurements demonstrating that sham-operated control and membrane-treated specimens presented significantly more cranial width than that of the remaining groups of animals (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that complete osseous healing, creation of a new sagittal suture, and increased cranial growth can be achieved by the treatment of craniectomy defects with the GTR technique.

Animals↗

Effectiveness of homologous cadaveric fascia lata and role of suture fixation to tarsus in frontalis suspension.

The results of frontalis suspension (double rhomboid technique with preserved homologous cadaver fascia) were compared in two surgical groups: 1) patients in whom the fascia was sutured to the tarsus and 2) patients in whom the fascia was not sutured to the tarsus. The study was performed to determine the optimum surgical technique and to determine whether preserved cadaver fascia is a suitable suspensory material. All data retrospectively reviewed included 1) predisposing cause of severe blepharoptosis, 2) results in the two groups of patients, suture fixation and nonsuture fixation, and 3) surgical complications. Of the 27 patients (36 eyelids), the fascia was sutured to the tarsus in 15 patients (20 eyelids) and not sutured to the tarsus in 12 patients (16 eyelids). In the suture fixation group, no undercorrections occurred, but four of 20 eyelids had lower than expected eyelid creases and six had residual dermatochalasis. Six patients had lagophthalmos with corneal exposure that required intense corneal lubrication, and three such patients required temporary tarsorrhaphy for 3 weeks. In the group without suture fixation, two patients had undercorrection (one with ocular cicatricial pemphigoid and the other with myotonic dystrophy). The mean followup period was 44 months. We conclude that preserved fascia provides excellent results with or without fixation of the fascia to the tarsus. In patients with suture fixation, the eyelid crease may form just above the point at which the fascia is sutured to tarsus and result in a low eyelid crease. Excision of excess skin should be considered at the time of frontalis suspension in selected patients in whom the fascia is fixated to the tarsus or who have preexisting dermatochalasis. Patients with suture fixation may have significant temporary postoperative lagophthalmos.

Adult↗

Histologic change of the meniscus and cartilage tissue after meniscal suture.

The influence of suturing on cell infiltration into the meniscus and surrounding tissue is not well known. Histologic changes in the meniscus after suturing and prediction of histologic changes using magnetic resonance imaging were studied. Forty knees in 20 mongrel dogs were studied using four types of 4-0 suture material: nonabsorbable monofilament, nonabsorbable braided, absorbable monofilament, and absorbable braided. Each type of suture material was used for meniscal suture on eight knees each. The other eight knees were not subjected to meniscal suture. Specimens obtained at 1 and 3 months were studied by magnetic resonance imaging and light microscopic analysis. The maximum width of change of meniscal tissue was measured. Changes from the nonabsorbable suture group were smaller than that of the absorbable suture group in magnetic resonance imaging. Histologic changes as seen by light microscope were larger in the absorbable group than in the nonabsorbable group at 1 and 3 months after surgery. Injury was found in the articular cartilage of the femoral condyle in the nonabsorbable braided suture group. Histologic changes were significantly greater when changes in magnetic resonance imaging signal intensity were larger. The current study showed that non-absorbable monofilament suture material results in the least damage to the meniscus and surrounding tissue.

Alcian Blue↗

Effects of lid suturing and trans-scleral cryotherapy on ocular growth in a piglet model.

PURPOSE: To study whether lid suturing can induce axial myopia and explore whether trans-scleral cryotherapy can affect ocular growth in piglets or not. METHODS: A total of fourteen 2- to 3-week-old piglets were studied. Three groups were included: lid suture, cryotherapy, and both lid suture/cryotherapy groups. The lid suturing group (N = 6) was given lid suturing to produce visual deprivation. The cryotherapy group (N = 4) received trans-scleral cryotherapy 360 degrees to encircle anterior to the equator. Both treatment groups (N = 4) received both cryotherapy and lid suturing. The cycloplegic refraction, corneal power, biometric axial length, and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured before the experiments and 4 months later. RESULTS: Mild axial myopia was induced in five lid-sutured eyes of the lid suturing group. The ocular refraction and eye size of cryotherapy eyes were not different from the control eyes in the cryotherapy group. More myopia was found in all four piglets that received both cryotherapy and lid suturing. CONCLUSIONS: Lid suturing can induce axial myopia; however, cryotherapy did not affect normal eye growth and did not prevent the development of lid suturing myopia in piglets.

Animals↗

Outcomes of laser suture lysis after initial trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To evaluate and compare outcomes of eyes that underwent laser suture lysis (LSL) after initial trabeculectomy with mitomycin C (MMC) to those that did not require such an intervention. METHODS: We reviewed the charts of consecutive patients with open-angle glaucoma who underwent initial trabeculectomy with mitomycin C at the Jules Stein Eye Institute between 1998 and 2003. Primary outcome measures were intraocular pressure (IOP) control at 1 year and success rate of trabeculectomy according to following criteria: criteria A, IOP < 21 mm Hg with >or=20% IOP reduction and criteria B, IOP < 15 mm Hg with >or=30% IOP reduction. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox's proportional hazards regression analysis were used to estimate and determine influence of laser suture lysis on success rates after trabeculectomy. RESULTS: Laser suture lysis was performed in 95 eyes (84 patients) whereas 146 eyes (121 patients) did not require it. IOP was significantly higher at 12 months in laser suture lysis eyes compared with non-laser suture lysis eyes (12.9 +/- 5.2 mm Hg versus 11.0 +/- 4.1 mm Hg; P = 0.04). Laser suture lysis eyes also had decreased success rates with criteria B (57% compared with 73% at 1 year for non-LSL eyes; P = 0.005). However, only late laser suture lysis (last LSL session >10 days after trabeculectomy) was associated with worse outcome in Cox's proportional hazards model using criteria B (HR = 2.26; P = 0.004). Late hypotony occurred in 4% and 1% of non-LSL and LSL eyes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Eyes that undergo laser suture lysis >10 days after initial trabeculectomy with mitomycin C are more likely to have poorer long-term IOP control than eyes not requiring laser suture lysis or eyes undergoing laser suture lysis <or=10 days after surgery.

Aged↗

Expression and possible mechanisms of regulation of BMP3 in rat cranial sutures.

BACKGROUND: Clinical genetics data and investigative studies have contributed greatly to our understanding of the role of numerous genes in craniosynostosis. Recent studies have introduced antagonists of osteogenesis as potential key regulators of suture fusion and patency. The authors investigated the expression pattern of the bone morphogenetic protein antagonist BMP3 in rat cranial sutures and the factors regulating its expression in vitro. METHODS: Microarray analysis was performed on rat posterior frontal and sagittal cranial sutures at 5, 10, 15, 20, and 30 days of life (n = 30 per group). Gene expression was confirmed using quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Regulation of BMP3 expression was determined using primary rat calvarial osteoblasts stimulated with recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 2 or recombinant human transforming growth factor beta1, or cultured with primary rat nonsuture dura mater. Gene expression was quantified with quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: BMP3 expression in the posterior frontal suture decreased over the time course analyzed, whereas it increased in the sagittal suture. Notably, BMP3 expression was higher in the patent sagittal suture during the window of posterior frontal suture fusion. Stimulation of osteoblasts with recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 2 led to a rapid and sustained suppression of BMP3 expression (85 percent, p < 0.01) when compared with controls. Co-culture with dural cells decreased BMP3 mRNA by 50 percent compared with controls (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: BMP3 is expressed in rat cranial sutures in a temporal pattern suggesting involvement in cranial suture patency and fusion. Furthermore, BMP3 is regulated in calvarial osteoblasts by recombinant human fibroblast growth factor 2 and by paracrine signaling from dura mater. These data add to our knowledge of the role of osteogenic antagonists in cranial suture biology.

Animals↗

Long-term follow-up of a randomized controlled trial of suture versus mesh repair of incisional hernia.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine the best treatment of incisional hernia, taking into account recurrence, complications, discomfort, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Long-term results of incisional hernia repair are lacking. Retrospective studies and the midterm results of this study indicate that mesh repair is superior to suture repair. However, many surgeons are still performing suture repair. METHODS: Between 1992 and 1998, a multicenter trial was performed, in which 181 eligible patients with a primary or first-time recurrent midline incisional hernia were randomly assigned to suture or mesh repair. In 2003, follow-up was updated. RESULTS: Median follow-up was 75 months for suture repair and 81 months for mesh repair patients. The 10-year cumulative rate of recurrence was 63% for suture repair and 32% for mesh repair (P < 0.001). Abdominal aneurysm (P = 0.01) and wound infection (P = 0.02) were identified as independent risk factors for recurrence. In patients with small incisional hernias, the recurrence rates were 67% after suture repair and 17% after mesh repair (P = 0.003). One hundred twenty-six patients completed long-term follow-up (median follow-up 98 months). In the mesh repair group, 17% suffered a complication, compared with 8% in the suture repair group (P = 0.17). Abdominal pain was more frequent in suture repair patients (P = 0.01), but there was no difference in scar pain, cosmetic result, and patient satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Mesh repair results in a lower recurrence rate and less abdominal pain and does not result in more complications than suture repair. Suture repair of incisional hernia should be abandoned.

Adult↗

Twist is required for establishment of the mouse coronal suture.

Cranial sutures are the growth centres of the skull, enabling expansion of the skull to accommodate rapid growth of the brain. Haploinsufficiency of the human TWIST gene function causes the craniosynostosis syndrome, Saethre-Chotzen syndrome (SCS), in which premature fusion of the coronal suture is a characteristic feature. Previous studies have indicated that Twist is expressed in the coronal suture during development, and therefore that it may play an important role in development and maintenance of the suture. The Twist-null mouse is lethal before the onset of osteogenesis, and the heterozygote exhibits coronal suture synostosis postnatally. In this study we investigated the function of Twist in the development of the mouse coronal suture, by inhibiting Twist synthesis using morpholino antisense oligonucleotides in calvarial organ culture. Decreased Twist production resulted in a narrow sutural space and fusion of bone domains within 48 h after the addition of the morpholino oligonucleotides. Proliferation activity in the sutural cells was decreased, and the expression of osteogenic marker genes such as Runx2 and Fgfr2 was up-regulated in the developing bone domain within 4 h. These results suggest that during establishment of the suture area, Twist is required for the regulation of sutural cell proliferation and osteoblast differentiation.

Acrocephalosyndactylia↗

Polyvinylidene fluoride monofilament sutures: can they be used safely for long-term anastomoses in the thoracic aorta?

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) represents an attractive alternative to polypropylene as a monofilament vascular suture because of its satisfactory physicochemical properties, it ease of handling, and its good biocompatibility. However, the polymer's ability to remain mechanically and chemically stable when exposed to a mild hydrolytic environment over the long term has yet to be demonstrated. One in vitro study involved the comparison of the long-term relative resistance of PVDF and polypropylene sutures to hydrolysis for a period of 9 years. The PVDF suture showed major molecular rearrangements from the original ratio of three crystalline structures to the single beta crystalline phase. The observation of some surface oxidation and water inhibition did not significantly modify the tensile strength of the PVDF suture, which retained 92.5% of its original value. In contrast, the polypropylene sample did not undergo any recrystallization but was associated with more oxidation byproducts and more water molecules near the surface, which contributed to a 46.6% loss in initial tensile strength. An in vivo study confirmed that PVDF sutures are biocompatible and are able to maintain satisfactory biostability when used to anastomose thoracic aortic allografts for a period of 6 months in the dog. The cellular reaction of fresh allografts as well as the control autografts to PVDF sutures was minimal. In other allografts that had been preserved in a supplemented medium for 1 week prior to implantation, the PVDF sutures healed satisfactorily with the formation of neocollagen and few macrophages surrounding the monofilament. No evidence of instability at the allograft-host artery junction was observed, confirming that the PVDF sutures were able to ensure a secure anastomosis in the thoracic aorta. PVDF sutures have demonstrated superior long-term biostability in vitro and minimal tissue response in vivo. These are two essential requirements when evaluating the use of a suture for vascular surgery in general and thoracic aortic surgery in particular.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Expression of in vivo mechanical strain upon different wave forms of exogenous forces in rabbit craniofacial sutures.

Sutures are fibrous joints between craniofacial bones, providing an interesting model for studying the biomechanics of the interface between soft and mineralized tissues. To explore whether different wave forms of exogenous forces induce corresponding sutural strain wave forms, sutural strain of the premaxillomaxillary suture (PMS) and nasofrontal suture (NFS) of New Zealand White rabbits (N = 8) was recorded upon application of static, sine- and square-wave forces against the maxilla from 1 N to 5 N in 1 N increments. The PMS demonstrated compressive strain, whereas the NFS tensile strain. Despite a tenfold difference in peak PMS strain (- 1451 +/- 512 micro(epsilon)) and NFS strain (141 +/- 39 micro(epsilon)) in response to 5 N cyclic forces, wave forms of exogenous forces were expressed as corresponding wave forms of sutural strain in both the PMS and NFS. Peak sutural strain was similar upon static and sine-wave cyclic loading. Thus, cells and matrix components of fibrous sutural tissue experience different wave forms of exogenous forces as corresponding wave forms of tissue-borne mechanical strain. Current craniofacial orthopedic therapies exclusively utilize static forces to change the shape of craniofacial bones via mechanically induced bone apposition and resorption. The present data provide room for exploring whether cyclic forces capable of inducing different sutural strain wave forms may accelerate sutural anabolic or catabolic responses.

Animals↗

Breaking strength of native and sutured trachea. An experimental study on sheep trachea.

Tracheal anastomoses are, even more so than other sutures, often only possible to prepare under tension and thus in danger of breakage. No information is available regarding native tracheae and freshly sutured tracheae. For this reason, our objective was to examine the tensile strength of native tracheae and compare it with freshly sutured specimens. Fresh tracheae were collected from the local slaughterhouse within 30 min of slaughter. With the help of a suitable holding device, 24 fresh tracheae were mounted on a material testing machine and stretched to breaking point, during which the force and distance required were recorded. The same study was carried out on each 10 freshly anastomosed tracheae using three different suturing techniques. The mean value of the maximum force required for native tracheae was 198 N. With continuous suturing (polypropylene), a mean value of 171 N was attained, and with single interrupted suturing (polydioxanone and polyglactin 910), 123 N, respectively, 108 N. Differences between the groups proved to be highly significant. With respect to the mechanical strain from traction, the continuous suture proved to be statistically identical to native tracheae, whereas single interrupted sutures revealed a considerably lower stability under burden. Therefore, the continuous suture is of advantage in respect of the mechanical strain from traction and the suture protection of tracheal anastomoses. Further studies with differing survival times in vivo with this method provide insight into the stability of tracheal anastomoses during the healing process.

Anastomosis, Surgical↗

Elongation and structural properties of meniscal repair using suture techniques in distraction and shear force scenarios: biomechanical evaluation using a cyclic loading protocol.

BACKGROUND: Most biomechanical studies on meniscal repairs have focused on testing distraction scenarios to evaluate structural properties of the repaired meniscus. An application of shear forces might replicate the in vivo situation more closely. HYPOTHESIS: In the shear force scenario, meniscal repair using a vertical suture technique will result in significantly less elongation when subjected to a cyclic loading protocol than that resulting from a horizontal suture technique. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: In fresh-frozen porcine menisci (n = 10 in each group), horizontal and vertical 2.0 Ethibond suturing techniques were tested in distraction and shear force scenarios. Elongation after 1000 cycles between 5 and 20 N and the structural properties such as stiffness, yield load, maximum load to failure, and failure mode were evaluated using a testing machine at a rate of 12.5 mm/s. RESULTS: In the distraction force scenario, no statistically significant difference in elongation after cyclic loading was found between specimens repaired with vertical or horizontal suture techniques. After 1000 cycles of cyclic loading in the shear force scenario, the horizontal suturing revealed significantly less elongation (2.8 +/- 1.1 mm) than did the vertical suture technique (4.6 +/- 2.0 mm). No statistically significant difference in yield and maximum load was found (P > .05). CONCLUSION: The results of the present study do not support the authors' hypothesis. In the shear force test, horizontal sutures were superior to vertical suture techniques. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Meniscal repair with horizontal suture techniques can withstand elongation due to shear forces more effectively than can vertical mattress sutures.

Animals↗

Arthroscopic rotator interval closure: effect of sutures on glenohumeral motion and anterior-posterior translation.

BACKGROUND: The effect of arthroscopic rotator interval closure on glenohumeral motion and translation is not well understood, nor is the ideal location or number of sutures required for closure. HYPOTHESIS: The number of arthroscopic rotator interval closure sutures and their placement will have a significant effect on glenohumeral range of motion and anterior-posterior translation. STUDY DESIGN: Controlled laboratory study. METHODS: Using a custom testing apparatus, the authors measured range of motion in 12 fresh-frozen cadaveric shoulders; anterior-posterior translation in adduction and neutral rotation was measured in 9. Specimens were initially tested without sutures and then tested after 3 interval closures using a random sequence of (1) an isolated medial suture at the level of the glenoid, (2) an isolated lateral suture 1 cm lateral to the glenoid, or (3) both sutures followed by removal of all sutures. RESULTS: Analysis of variance demonstrated that interval closure had a significant effect on decreasing flexion (mean, 6 degrees), external rotation (mean, 10 degrees), and anterior translation (mean, 3 mm) of the adducted shoulder. There was no significant difference between the 3 interval closures in any of the tests. CONCLUSION: Arthroscopic interval closure produced significant decreases in range of motion and anterior-posterior translation. The effects of single lateral or medial suture closures were similar to the use of 2 sutures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study suggests that the initial effect of arthroscopic rotator interval closure on anterior translation of the shoulder will be similar whether 1 or 2 sutures are used. In vivo studies are necessary to determine if the effect of these 2 methods would be the same over time.

Adult↗

Mechanobiology of craniofacial sutures.

Craniofacial sutures are soft connective-tissue joints between mineralized skull bones. Suture mechanobiology refers to the understanding of how mechanical stimuli modulate sutural growth. This review's hypothesis is that novel mechanical stimuli can effectively modulate sutural growth. Exogenous forces with static, sinusoidal, and square waveforms induce corresponding waveforms of sutural strain. Sutural growth is accelerated upon small doses of oscillatory strain, as few as 600 cycles delivered 10 min/day over 12 days. Interestingly, both oscillatory tensile and compressive strains induce anabolic sutural responses beyond natural growth. Mechanistically, oscillatory strain likely turns on genes and transcription factors that activate cellular machinery via mechanotransduction pathways. Thus, sutural growth is determined by hereditary and mechanical signals via the common pathway of genes. It is concluded that small doses of oscillatory mechanical stimuli have the potential to modulate sutural growth effectively: either accelerating it or initiating net sutural bone resorption for various therapeutic objectives.

Animals↗