Tensile strength of fascia lata sutures following gamma radiation.

Gamma radiation (Co-60) is used to sterilize biological sutures. We wished to compare the effect of gamma-radiation in doses of 2.7 and 4.0 Mrads on the tensile strength of human fascia lata sutures obtained from the same cadaver. Five variables of tensile strength viz. Breaking Elongation, Breaking Load, Yield Point Load, Work of Rupture and Elastic Stiffness were determined for each suture. For Breaking Elongation the mean strength for the 4.0 Mrad dose was 3% less than for 2.7 Mrad dose (P less than 0.05); for Breaking Load 11% less (P less than 0.01); for Yield Point Load 9% less (P less than 0.02); for Work of Rupture 14% less (P less than 0.01); and for Elastic Stiffness 8% less (P less than 0.02). Irradiation with 4.0 Mrads, does not greatly change the tensile strength characteristics of fascia lata sutures.