Strain gauges for measuring the tension at the site of sutures. Use of the original instrument with a personal technic

: The Authors have developed an instrumentation suitable for suture line tension measuring during plastic operations for large incisional hernias. A full description is given of the measuring technique and of the original instrumentation, including two steel bars called "fachiri" and an electric measuring system with strain gauges. With the employment of this technique, relaxing incisions of the muscle aponeurosis can be reduced to the minimum. Being the suture line tension one of the most important causes of relapsing, the Authors believe that this technique provides a sure advantage for the long term results of plastic operations.