Shoulder & elbow
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Cerclage wire is the current standard for circumferential bone fixation. Advances in technology have improved modern sutures, allowing for expanded utility and broader application. The present study compared the strength and durability of cerclage fixation between modern suture materials and monofilament wire. ⋯ High-performance sutures achieve superior results in biomechanical testing under cyclic and quasi-static load compared to monofilament wire, suggesting that they provide an alternative to wire for cerclage fixation with select clinical application. Biomechanical security of suture cerclage is dependent on suture material, although it is not altered significantly by choice of knot. An ex-vivo study with clinical application would further reinforce whether suture cerclage offers a valid alternative to wire cerclage.