Fig. 4

Gap formation. a Initial gap formation. b 5-mm gap formation. c Bunnell suture without pretension had less resistance to initial gap formation than all of the other repairs (p < 0.001). Also, significantly more load was needed to produce a 5-mm gap in the tensioned Bunnell (p < 0.001), cross-lock Bunnell (p < 0.002), and tensioned cross-lock Bunnell (p < 0.001) groups than in the simple Bunnell suture group. Pretension significantly increased the resistance to gap formation in the Bunnell (p < 0.001) and cross-lock Bunnell (p < 0.001) repairs