Objective To compare the effectiveness of the 3 methods (traditional open Achilles tendon anastomosis, minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis, and Achilles tendon anastomosis limited incision) for acuteAchilles tendon rupture so as to provide a reference for the choice of cl inical treatment plans. Methods Between December 2007 and March 2010, 69 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated by traditional open Achilles tendon anastomosis (traditional group, n=23), by minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis (minimally invasive group, n=23), and by Achilles tendon anastomosis l imited incision (l imited incision group,n=23). There was no significant difference in gender, age, mechanism of injury, and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score between 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Results Minimally invasive group and limited incision group were significantly better than traditional group in hospital ization days and blood loss (P lt; 0.01). Incision infection occurred in 2 cases of traditional group, and healing of incision by first intention was achieved in all patients of the other 2 groups, showing significant difference in the complication rate (P lt; 0.05). Re-rupture of Achilles tendon occurred in 1 case (4.3%) of minimally invasive group and limited incision group respectively; no re-rupture was found in traditional group (0), showing significant difference when compared with the other 2 groups (P lt; 0.05). All cases were followed up 12-18 months with an average of 14.9 months. The function of the joint was restored. The AOFAS score was more than 90 points in 3 groups at 12 months after operation, showing no significant difference among 3 groups (P gt; 0.05). Conclusion The above 3 procedures can be used to treat acute Achilles tendon rupture. However, minimally invasive percutaneous Achilles tendon anastomosis and Achilles tendon anastomosis limited incision have the advantages of less invasion, good heal ing, short hospital ization days, and less postoperative complication, and have the disadvantage of increased risk for re-rupture of Achilles tendon after operations.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the short-term effectiveness of the short incision and non-end-to-end suturing system in the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture. MethodsBetween September 2011 and September 2013, 22 patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated with self-designed minimally invasive non-end-to-end suturing system. There were 16 males and 6 females, aged from 22 to 55 years (mean, 32.6 years). The left side was involved in 12 cases and the right side in 10 cases. The causes included sports injury in 16 patients, violent injury in 4 patients, and falling injury in 2 patients. MRI revealed that the distance from the ruptured site to the calcaneal tuberosity ranged from 40 to 70 mm (mean, 35 mm). The duration from injury to surgery ranged from 0.5 to 7 days (mean, 4.2 days). The incision of 4 cm in length was made at the initial point of Achilles tendon, and minimally invasive non-end-to-end suturing system was used to hold the Achilles. The ruptured tendon was sutured with two non-absorbed thread. The limb was fixed with plaster for 6 weeks. ResultsThe incision all healed by first intention without complications of sural nerve damage and infection. All patients were followed up 8-14 months (mean, 11 months). According to the Arner-Lindholm functional score criteria, the results were excellent in 19 cases and good in 3 cases. No Achilles tendon rupture happened again during follow-up. ConclusionThe small incision with non-end-to-end suturing system is an effective operation strategy for treatment of acute Achilles rupture. The patients can do function exercise at early-stage with satisfatory short-term effectiveness.