• Wenge Ding, Weihong Yan, Yaping Zhu, and Zhiwei Liu.
• Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, 3rd Affiliated Hospital of Suzhou University, People's Republic of China.
• Ulus Travma Acil Cer. 2012 Sep 1;18(5):405-10.

BackgroundAchilles tendon rupture is a common injury, and its complications can impair function. Numerous operations have been described for reconstructing the ruptured tendon, but these methods can compromise microcirculation in the tendon and can seriously impair its healing. Suturing with a minimally invasive tenocutaneous technique soon after the rupture and systematic functional exercise can greatly reduce the possibility of complications.MethodsBetween June 1996 and February 2009, we treated 88 patients (54 males; age range, 21-66 years) with this method.ResultsAfter follow-up ranging from 1-7 years, the mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle-hind foot score was 95 (range, 90-98), and the maximum length of postoperative scarring was 3 cm. One patient re-ruptured his Achilles tendon one year after surgery in an accident, but after 10 months, the repaired tendon was still intact. In another patient, the nervus suralis was damaged during surgery by piercing the tension suture at the near end, causing postoperative numbness and swelling. The tension suture was quickly removed, and the patient recovered well with conservative treatment. No large irregular scars, such as those sustained during immobilization, were present over the Achilles tendon.ConclusionMinimally invasive percutaneous suturing can restore the original length and continuity of the Achilles tendon, is minimally invasive, and has fewer postoperative complications than other methods.

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