Efficacy and complications of open and minimally invasive surgery in acute Achilles tendon rupture: a prospective randomised clinical study—preliminary report

• Published in: International orthopaedics Vol. 37; no. 4; pp. 625 - 629
• Main Authors: Kołodziej, Łukas, Bohatyrewicz, Andrzej, Kromuszczyńska, Justyna, Jezierski, Jarosław, Biedroń, Maciej
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer-Verlag 01.04.2013
• Subjects: Achilles Tendon - injuries; Achilles Tendon - physiopathology; Achilles Tendon - surgery; Adult; Aged; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - adverse effects; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures - methods; Original Paper; Orthopedic Procedures - adverse effects; Orthopedic Procedures - methods; Orthopedics; Prospective Studies; Recovery of Function - physiology; Risk Factors; Rupture; Surgical Wound Infection - epidemiology; Suture Techniques; Sutures; Tendon Injuries - physiopathology; Tendon Injuries - surgery; Treatment Outcome; Sport Activity Level; Tendon Healing; Superficial Wind Infection; Calf Circumference; Sural Nerve
• ISSN: 0341-2695; 1432-5195
• DOI: 10.1007/s00264-012-1737-9

Purpose Surgical treatment of an acute Achilles tendon rupture can effectively reduce the risk of re-rupture, but it increases the probability of surgical complications. We postulated that a minimally invasive surgical treatment might reduce the number of complications related to open surgery and improve the functional results. Method We enrolled 47 patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures in a prospective, randomised trial to compare clinical results and complications between a minimally invasive procedure with the Achillon® device and traditional open surgery with Krackow-type sutures. The average patient age was 46 years. The follow up time was 24 months. Results No Achilles tendon re-rupture or nerve injury occurred in treated patients. There were two cases of wound infections in the open surgery group, and one superficial wound infection occurred in the minimally invasive group. The groups were not significantly different in the amount of pain, range of ankle movements, the single heel-rise test, calf circumference, or time to return to work and sports. Conclusion After a two year follow-up period, we found no significant differences in clinical outcomes between groups treated with traditional open surgery or minimally invasive surgery.