Application of a novel suture anchor to abdominal wall closure

Abstract Background Mesh suture used in high-tension wound closures produces large knots susceptible to increased palpability, infection, and foreign body response; yet has superior tensile strength and increased resistance to cutting through tissue compared to standard suture. This study investigates mesh suture fixation in abdominal tissue with a knotless novel, low-profile anchor-clip. Methods Single and double end fixation of mesh suture in swine rectus abdominus fascia with an anchor-clip, a knot, and predicate device fixation underwent cyclic testing followed by pull-to-failure testing. Results Failure load of standard knot, single corkscrew and double anchor-clip were not statistically different, but were significantly greater than single anchor-clip and double corkscrew fixation (p > 0.05). Conclusions The anchor-clip is ∼60% smaller than a standard knot while maintaining fixation strength when exposed to physiologic forces using double anchor-clip fixation in abdominal wall closure.