scholarly journals Mini-Invasive, Ultrasound Guided Repair of the Achilles Tendon Rupture—A Pilot Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. 2370
Author(s):  
Łukasz Paczesny ◽  
Jan Zabrzyński ◽  
Marcin Domżalski ◽  
Maciej Gagat ◽  
Miron Termanowski ◽  
...  

Percutaneous acute Achilles tendon rupture suturing has become a leading treatment option in recent years. A common complication after this mini-invasive procedure is sural nerve injury, which can reduce the patients’ satisfaction and final outcomes. High-resolution ultrasound is a reliable method for localizing the sural nerve, and it can be performed intra-operatively; however, the long-term results are yet unknown. The aim of the study was to retrospectively evaluate the long-term results of percutaneous Achilles tendon repair supported with real-time ultrasound imaging. We conducted 57 percutaneous sutures of acute Achilles tendon rupture between 2005 and 2015; 30 were sutured under sonographic guidance, while 27 were performed without sonographic assistance. The inclusion criteria were acute (less than 7 days) full tendon rupture, treatment with the percutaneous technique, age between 18 and 65 years, and a body mass index (BMI) below 35. The operative procedure was carried out by two surgeons, according to the surgical technique reported by Maffulli et al. In total, 35 patients were available for this retrospective assessment; 20 (16 men and 4 women) were treated with sonographic guidance, while 15 (12 men and 3 women) underwent the procedure without it. The mean follow-up was 8 years (range, 3–13 years). The sural nerve was localized 10 mm to 20 mm (mean, 15.8; SD, 3.02) laterally from the scar of the Achilles tendon tear. There was no significant difference between groups with respect to the FAOQ score (P < 0.05). High-resolution ultrasounds performed intra-operatively can minimize the risk of sural nerve injury during percutaneous Achilles tendon repair.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongliang Yang ◽  
Honglei Jia ◽  
Wupeng Zhang ◽  
Shihong Xu ◽  
Fu Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Minimally invasive repair is a better option for Achilles tendon rupture with low re-rupture and wound-related complications than conservative treatment or traditional open repair. The major problem is sural nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and advantage of the intraoperative ultrasonography assistance for minimally invasive repair of the acute Achilles tendon rupture.Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 36 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography from January 2015 to December 2017. The relationship of the sural nerve and small saphenous vein was confirmed on the preoperative MRI. The course of the small saphenous vein and sural nerve were identified and marked by intraoperative ultrasonography. The ruptured Achilles tendon was repaired with minimally invasive Bunnell suture on the medial side of the SSV.Results: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. No sural nerve injury or other complications was found intraoperatively and postoperatively. All the patients returned to work and light sporting activities at a mean of 12.78±1.40 weeks and 17.28±2.34 weeks, respectively. The Mean AOFAS scores improved from 59.17±5.31 preoperatively to 98.92±1.63 at the time of 12 months follow-up. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.001). No patient complained a negative effect on their life.Conclusions: The minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography can yield good clinical outcomes, less surgical time and less complications, especially sural nerve injury. It is an efficient, reliable and safe method for acute AT rupture.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 465-470
Author(s):  
Saad Andaloussi

BACKGROUND: Missed traumatic Achilles tendon ruptures in children are rarely reported in the literature. Various techniques have been described to reconstruct delayed Achilles tendon ruptures for adults, but the long-term consequences in the growing child are unknown. CLINICAL CASE: The article presents a clinical observation of a 8-year-old girl with missed rupture of the Achilles tendon operated 7 weeks after the trauma by end-to-end Kessler-type sutures augmented with the plantaris tendon. At 2-year follow-up, the patient was completely asymptomatic. DISCUSSION: A review of the literature shows that this is the third neglected pediatric case of post-traumatic Achilles tendon rupture. The first case concerns a 10-year-old boy treated successfully six weeks after the traumat by open surgical repair using the Bunnell sutures technique. The second patient was a 7-year-old girl, she was operated 8 weeks after the trauma with a termino-terminal tenorrhaphy using the Bunnell technique augmented with the plantaris tendon. CONCLUSIONS: Using the plantaris tendon to reinforce the Achilles tendon repair offers satisfactory results with minimal morbidity. Prognosis depends on the extent of tendon defect which determines the long-term functional outcome. Any skin wound that sits on the back of the leg requires a systematic and careful physical examination to check the integrity of the Achilles tendon.


2014 ◽  
Vol 2 (11_suppl3) ◽  
pp. 2325967114S0022
Author(s):  
Akın Turgut ◽  
Mert Zeynel Asfuroğlu

Objectives: The ruptures of the Achilles tendon (AT) are relatively common. Since there is no consensus on the best method of the repair of the AT; the treatment is determined on the preference of the surgeon and the patient. The study evaluating the cadaveric and short term clinical results done by our clinic in 2002, has shown us that arthroscopically Achilles tendon repair can be good choise in achilles tendon ruptures. Methods: Fortyfour patients who underwent arthroscopically assisted achilles tendon repair during 1997-2011 in Osmangazi University Orthopaedics and Traumatology Department were retrospectively observed. The mean follow-up time was 69,7 months. One of patients had bilateral rupture. The diagnosis was based on loss of plantar flexion strength, palpation of the gap in the tendon, and a positive Thompson test. MRI and USG were used when needed. The ruptures were left-sided in nineteen patients and right-sided in twentysix. The cause of the rupture was recreational sports activity in thirtyeight, fall from height in four, missing a step in a staircase in two. Return the regular activity, ankle range of motion as compared with the opposite side, calf circumference, and ability to walk and stand tiptoe were recorded. All patients were operated on within 2-32 days after the rupture. Thirtysix operations were performed under spinal anesthesia and eight operations were performed under general anesthesia. Tourniquet was always used. Before starting the procedure, the rupture site and location of the gap are marked. Using the common videoarthroscopic instruments, a 70 degrees scope was inserted into the AT through the stab incision made previously, and the torn ends of the tendon were visualized with plantar flexion an extension of the ankle. After the visualization of the torn ends of the tendon and repair by the technique of Ma and Griffith care was focused to contact the ends of the tendon anatomically; then the sutures were knotted. A short leg circular cast with the ankle in slight plantar flexion was applied. American Orthopaedics Foot-Ankle Society (AOFAS) score was used to evaluate the long-term results.. Results: All patients had satisfactory results that no reruptures had occurred. No significant difference in range of motion of the ankle and calf circumference between the opposite sides was observed in any patient. All patients could walk and stand on tiptoe. AOFAS mean score was 94.5 (65-100). The interval from injury to return to regular work and activities was 8-10 weeks. All the patients were able to return back to their activity level before surgery. In three patients temporary sural hypoestesia, in one patient permanent sural hipoestesia and in one patient wound enfection appeared. No sensory deficit was detected in the temporary sural hypoestesia patients after postoperative second year controls. Medical care was supported to the patient with the wound enfection and the enfection was under control in the early stages. Conclusion: In summary; arthroscopically-assisted percutaneous repair of AT appears to overcome some certain problems of open, conservative and percutaneous techniques; but the neurovascular structure damage risk especially the sural nerve remains a potent problem. Accurate knowledge of the anatomy appears to be a solution. Novel percutaneous repairs have been promising to minimize the risk of sural nerve damage.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongliang Yang ◽  
Honglei Jia ◽  
Wupeng Zhang ◽  
Shihong Xu ◽  
Fu Wang ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Minimally invasive repair is a better option for Achilles tendon rupture with low re-rupture and wound-related complications than conservative treatment or traditional open repair. The major problem is sural nerve injury. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect and advantage of the intraoperative ultrasonography assistance for minimally invasive repair of the acute Achilles tendon rupture. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 36 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography from January 2015 to December 2017. The relationship of the sural nerve and small saphenous vein was confirmed on the preoperative MRI. The course of the small saphenous vein and sural nerve were identified and marked by intraoperative ultrasonography. The ruptured Achilles tendon was repaired with minimally invasive Bunnell suture on the medial side of the small saphenous vein (SSV).Results: All patients were followed up for at least 12 months. No sural nerve injury or other complications was found intraoperatively and postoperatively. All the patients returned to work and light sporting activities at a mean of 12.78±1.40 weeks and 17.28±2.34 weeks, respectively. The Mean American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores improved from 59.17±5.31 preoperatively to 98.92±1.63 at the time of 12 months follow-up. There was statistically significant difference (P<0.001). No patient complained a negative effect on their life.Conclusions: The minimally invasive repair assisted with intraoperative ultrasonography can yield good clinical outcomes, less surgical time and less complications, especially sural nerve injury. It is an efficient, reliable and safe method for acute Achilles Tendon (AT) rupture.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 230949902091027
Author(s):  
Jeong-Kil Lee ◽  
Chan Kang ◽  
Deuk-Soo Hwang ◽  
Dong-Hun Kang ◽  
Gi-Soo Lee ◽  
...  

Purpose: There is no definitive consensus on the optimal treatment of Achilles tendon rupture. We comparatively analyzed the clinical outcomes of two types of repair surgeries in treating Achilles tendon rupture. Methods: This retrospective study included 12 patients of Achilles tendon rupture (group A) treated with ultrasound-guided percutaneous repair and 18 patients (group B) treated with open repair. Clinical evaluation was performed using the Arner–Lindholm scale, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle–hindfoot score, Achilles Tendon Total Rupture score (ATRS), visual analog scale, time to single heel raise, bilateral calf circumferences, recovery of athletic ability, and other complications. Results: While the Arner–Lindholm scale, AOFAS ankle–hindfoot score, ATRS, time point when single heel raise was possible, differences in bilateral calf circumference, and recovery of athletic ability compared to pre-rupture level were not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.999, 0.235, 0.357, 0.645, 0.497, and 0.881, respectively), overall and aesthetic satisfaction levels were higher in the group treated with percutaneous repair under ultrasonography guidance (p = 0.035 and 0.001, respectively). Overall, there were no cases involving sural nerve injury in either group. Conclusion: Innovative percutaneous repair provides not only similar clinical outcomes but also greater overall and aesthetic satisfaction levels of operative outcomes and minimal complications (i.e. sural nerve injury) compared to open repair surgeries. Therefore, percutaneous repair may be a useful technique in the treatment of Achilles tendon rupture.


2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0003
Author(s):  
Katherine Sage ◽  
Gregory Guyton

Category: Ankle, Hindfoot, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Open Achilles tendon repair is typically performed in the prone position for easy visibility of the tendon, but serious complications may be associated with general anesthesia in this position. Open Achilles tendon repair with supine position has been described and potentially avoids these issues, but it is not known whether this position is safe. We reviewed the complication rate of supine open Achilles tendon repair in a retrospective series of patients, looking specifically at wound healing, infection, re-rupture, and sural nerve injury. Methods: CPT codes for Achilles tendon rupture were used to search the records of one surgeon for the years 2010-2014. The charts were then reviewed. Patients were included if they had an Achilles tendon rupture that was surgically treated with primary repair in the supine position within 15 days of injury. Patients were excluded if further reconstruction or tendon transfer was performed. A paramedian incision was utilized 1 cm medial to the Achilles sheath. Results: A total of 37 patients met the inclusion criteria. Of these 37 patients, 31 were men and 6 were women. The average age was 40.0 years (range, 20 to 66 years). Average length of follow-up was 159 days (range 25 to 1589 days). The average BMI was 28 (range 24-36). There were no major complications, including no infections or wound complications. No reruptures and no sural nerve injuries were observed. Conclusion: In 37 patients with early follow-up, supine open Achilles tendon repair had a complication rate equivalent to reported historical data for the prone procedure.


2015 ◽  
Vol 2 (2) ◽  
pp. 51-59
Author(s):  
Gautam D Salunkhe

ABSTRACT Background Despite many techniques used for repair of the ruptured Achilles tendon, uncertainty of healing of the surgical wound remains a problem. This mainly determines the success of the surgery. The long-term results generally result in healing of the rupture, but poor healing of the wound occurs repeatedly. This causes apprehension in advising surgery over a conservative approach. Objectives To study the outcome of 20 cases of acute rupture of the Achilles tendon treated by the percutaneous technique. Materials and methods From March 2004 to March 2012, 20 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture were treated by percutaneous repair by the method of Ma and Griffith. Modifications were used in distal end and delayed repairs. Immobilization was used after surgery. Postoperative complications were observed, and results assessed using the Leppilahti score after 6 months. Follow-up was done for 2 years. Results Percutaneous repair had significantly good results in 95% cases. There were two cases of sural nerve hypoesthesia, which was a minor problem and in no way hampered the longterm result. There were no re-ruptures. Patient satisfaction was high in terms of final result and cosmesis. Conclusion Percutaneous repair is a safe and reliable method for repair of the Achilles tendon rupture. It has a minor complication rate, and is advisable over open surgery. How to cite this article Salunkhe GD. Percutaneous Repair for the Treatment of Rupture of the Achilles tendon: A Study of 20 Cases. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia-Pacific) 2015;2(2):51-59.


2008 ◽  
Vol 47 (5) ◽  
pp. 392-399 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernd Hohendorff ◽  
Wolf Siepen ◽  
Liesbeth Spiering ◽  
Lukas Staub ◽  
Thilo Schmuck ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qipeng Wu ◽  
Yuan Xiong ◽  
Zhenhua Fang ◽  
Junwen Wang ◽  
Guohui Liu ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The aim of this study was to assess radiographic and clinical outcomes of a new modified approach on the basis of Bosworth’s technique in the treatment of infectious Achilles tendon rupture (IATR). Materials and methods 15 patients (9 males and 6 females; 15 feet; average age of 38.3 years) were included in the study. After infection, the wounds were transferred to our department for treatment (Figure 1).Radiographic and clinical outcome in terms of the American Orthopaedic Foot&Ankle Society score (AOFAS), the Victorian institute of sports assessment Achilles (VISA-A), and the Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS) were investigated at 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months postoperatively. Results Preoperative AOFAS, VISA-A, and ATRS showed statistically significant improvement (p≤0.05) from35.03±6.81 (25-45), 21.04±8.17 (5-45), and 20.08±8.93 (6-55) to 90.04±5.32 (82-97), 95.11±3.09 (79-99), and 96.34±3.61 (89-97) at the last follow-up, respectively. All patients could lift heel on one foot and return to work at 12 to 16 weeks after operation (average 14.2 weeks). Overall, No complications such as infection, skin necrosis, sural nerve injury, deep vein thrombosis, and re-rupture of Achilles tendon occurred at last follow-up. Conclusion The new modified approach of Bosworth’s technique provided powerful curative efficacy of infectious Achilles tendon rupture, without severe complications in terms of infection, skin necrosis, sural nerve injury, deep vein thrombosis, and re-rupture of Achilles tendon. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.


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