[Biomechanic study of the tensile strength of lyophilized and deep frozen human Achilles tendons following gamma and ethylene oxide sterilization]. / Biomechanische Untersuchung über die Zugfestigkeit lyophilisierter und tiefgefrorener humaner Achillessehnen nach Gamma- und Ethylenoxid-Sterilisation.

By a failed first operation allogenic tissues, as human Achilles tendons are offered for anterior cruciate ligament replacement. The effects of freeze-drying and primary Gamma- or EO-sterilization on the mechanical properties of 62 complete and 74 bisected tendons again fresh frozen controls were investigated under axial tension. A significant decrease of tensile strength for the freeze-dried preparations of 33% for the whole and 43% for the bisected tendons were observed, while Gamma- or EO-sterilizations showed a smaller deleterious effect on the tendons. Considering only the primary mechanical strength complete freeze-dried or complete and bisected irradiated Achilles tendons show sufficient tensile strength for anterior cruciate ligament replacement.