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In Vitro Mechanical Testing of Braided Polyurethane Elastic Fiber and Braided Polyester for Equine Laryngoplasty
Author(s) -
Willsallen Hadley,
Heller Jane,
Kark Lauren,
Hilbert Bryan J.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
veterinary surgery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.652
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1532-950X
pISSN - 0161-3499
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-950x.2014.12184.x
Subject(s) - medicine , cartilage , displacement (psychology) , fibrous joint , materials testing , orthodontics , anatomy , composite material , materials science , psychology , psychotherapist
Objectives In vitro comparison of the mechanical properties of braided polyurethane elastomer (Lycra®) and braided polyester (Ethibond™) (1) when inserted into the muscular process of the arytenoid cartilage and (2) as suture loops. Study Design Experimental. Animals Equine cadaver larynges (n = 15). Methods The muscular processes (n = 30) of the arytenoid cartilages were dissected from each larynx and embedded in a resin base. Lycra® and Ethibond™ prostheses were randomly allocated to the left or right muscular process and each underwent cyclic fatigue (25–50 N) followed by load‐to‐failure testing. Isolated suture loops of Lycra® (n = 25) and Ethibond™ (n = 25) also underwent the same cyclic fatigue followed by load‐to‐failure testing (n = 20) or a creep testing protocol (25 N for 10 min; n = 5). Results Lycra® prostheses pulled through the cartilage in a significantly greater proportion of cyclic tests ( P = .015) and at lower mean (±SD) loads, (95.9 ± 23.4 N) during load‐to‐failure testing than Ethibond™ prostheses (155.2 ± 24.4 N; P = .0041). Lycra® had a significantly greater displacement with and without a cartilage interface when compared to Ethibond™ ( P < .001, P < .002). The Lycra® isolated suture loops failed at significantly greater loads (233.0 ± 38.7 N) during load‐to‐failure testing than Ethibond™ loops (201.6 ± 47.4 N; P = .042). Conclusions Lycra® prostheses embedded in laryngeal cartilage pulled through the cartilage at lower loads than Ethibond™ prostheses. Lycra® suture loops were stronger than Ethibond™ suture loops. Lycra® had greater displacement than Ethibond™ in all tests as suture loops or when embedded in cartilage.