A biomechanical analysis of solvent-dehydrated and freeze-dried human fascia lata allografts. A preliminary report

This study compares the basic mechanical properties of two groups of commercially available fascia lata allografts processed by different means (solvent-dehydrated and sterilized via gamma radiation, and freeze-dried without secondary sterilization). The results reveal significantly (P < 0.05) higher stiffness, higher maximum load to failure, and higher maximum load per unit width of graft with the solvent-dried as opposed to the freeze-dried fascia lata. Subsections of individual solvent-dried specimens were also more uniform in their mechanical properties than those of the freeze-dried allografts. Clinical relevance: Fascia lata is used as a graft material in a variety of orthopaedic procedures. Allograft fascia lata offers an increased cross-sectional area of material and eliminates the morbidity associated with the harvesting of autologous tissues. However, the structural uniformity of such large grafts has been questioned. Processing techniques used in the sterilization and storage of such grafts is varied and represents a potential source of variation in the mechanical properties of allograft specimens. The results of this study suggest that a commercially available solvent- dehydrated form of fascia lata provides a more suitable grafting material than freeze-dried specimens obtained from tissue banks.