An uncomplicated method for minimally invasive achilles tendon repair

The learning curve for minimally invasive Achilles repair using the "lumbar puncture needle and oval forceps" technique

INTRODUCTION

An acute Achilles tendon rupture represents a common tendon injury, and its operative methods have been developed over the years. This study aimed to quantify the learning curve for the minimally invasive acute Achilles tendon rupture repair.

METHODS

From May 2020 to June 2022, sixty-seven patient cases who received minimally invasive tendon repair were reviewed. Baseline data and operative details were collected. The cumulative summation (CUSUM) control chart was used for the learning curve analyses. Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle/hindfoot score, and visual analog scale (VAS) at 3/6/9/12 months were calculated to assess the clinical outcomes.

RESULTS

Thirty-six cases underwent at least a year of follow up and were enrolled in this study. The gender ratio and average age were 80.5% and 32.5 years. The linear equation fitted well (R2 = 0.95), and CUSUM for operative time peaked in the 12th case, which was divided into the learning phase (n = 12) and master phase (n = 24). No significant difference was detected between the two groups in clinical variables, except for the operative time (71.1 ± 13.2 min vs 45.8 ± 7.2 min, p = 0.004). Moreover, we detected one case with a suture reaction and treated it properly.

CONCLUSION

Minimally invasive Achilles repair provides an opportunity for early rehabilitation. Notably, the learning curve showed that the "lumbar puncture needle and oval forceps" technique was accessible to surgeons.

The percutaneous oval forceps suture-guiding method with anchor nails for Achilles tendon repair

BACKGROUND

Acute Achilles tendon rupture (AATR) is a common injury of the foot and ankle. So far, the optimal management of AATR remains controversial. The target of the present retrospective study was to describe a new operative technique for percutaneous repair of AATR and evaluate efficacy of the technique.

METHODS

In the present study, 32 patients were enrolled with AATR treated with the percutaneous oval forceps suture-guiding method with anchor nails from Jan 2014 to Jan 2017. The operation duration and length of incision were collected. The functional outcomes were evaluated using the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, Achilles tendon total rupture score (ATRS), range of motion (ROM) of the ankle and plantar flexion strength ratio at the last follow-up. The postoperative sports activity level and complications were also recorded.

RESULTS

The mean operation duration and length of incision were 24.5 min and 2.0 cm. Whilst patient reported outcome questionnaires like AOFAS and ATRS showed good results, ROM of the ankle was quite low with only 16.5 degrees. Plantar flexion strength ratio was lower post surgery, as well. As for the postoperative sports activity level: 26/32 cases (81.3%) returned to former sports activity level; 4/32 cases (12.5%) showed a decline in sports activity level; 2/32 cases (6.2%) gave up on sports. The overall complication rate was 6.2%, one sural nerve damage and one fusiform thickening were found in the study.

CONCLUSION

The percutaneous oval forceps suture-guiding method with anchor nails is a new considerable surgery method with adequate healing rates and an alternative to existing surgical procedures.

Long-Term Results With the Use of Modified Percutaneous Repair of the Ruptured Achilles Tendon Under Local Anaesthesia (15-Year Analysis With 270 Cases)

Controversy regarding the optimal treatment of fresh total Achilles tendon rupture remains. This article presents results with the use of modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair under local anesthesia performed from January 1991 to December 2005 with a 2- to 10-year follow-up. There were 270 procedures in 247 male patients (92.51%) and 20 female patients (7.49%), mean ± SD age 38.7 ± 11.56 (range 20 to 83) years, in all consecutively treated patients within 7 days after acute total rupture; 3 patients sustained ruptures on both sides in different periods. Postoperative care consisted of wearing a cast or soft cast or functional immobilization for 6 weeks. The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. There were 3 (1.11%) complete and 5 (1.85%) partial repeat ruptures (8 [2.96%] altogether). Fourteen patients (5.18%) developed transient sural neuritis that spontaneously resolved in 2 to 10 months. One case (0.3%) of deep venous thrombosis was successfully treated. There were 25 (9.36%) major and minor complications altogether, with no cases of increased postoperative dorsiflexion, deep infection, or necrosis. Forty-four patients (16.48%) had a slightly decreased range of ankle motion, and 216 (80.89%) patients, including all high-caliber athletes, resumed all their previous activities. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society hindfoot-ankle score was 96.10 points. Long-term results of the analyzed modified method suggest a reasonable treatment option for acute total Achilles tendon ruptures, with a low number of complications and repeat rupture rate and return to preinjury activities comparable to those of open procedures.

The improved oval forceps suture-guiding method for minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair

OBJECTIVE

To discuss the effect and advantage of the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method combined with anchor nail in the treatment of acute Achilles tendon rupture.

METHODS

A retrospective research was performed on 35 cases of acute Achilles tendon rupture treated with the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method from January 2013 to October 2016. Instead of the Achillon device, we perform the Achillon technique with the use of simple oval forceps, combined with absorbable anchor nail, percutaneously to repair the acute Achilles tendon rupture.

RESULTS

All patients were followed up for at least 12 months (range, 12-19 months), and all the patients underwent successful repair of their acute Achilles tendon rupture using the improved oval forceps suture-guiding method without any major intra- or postoperative complications. All the patients returned to work with pre-injury levels of activity at a mean of 12.51 ± 0.76 weeks. Mean AOFAS ankle-hindfoot scores improved from 63.95 (range, 51-78) preoperatively to 98.59 (range, 91-100) at last follow-up. This was statistically significant difference (P < 0.001). Mean Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) at final follow-up was 94.87 (range, 90-100).

CONCLUSION

The improved oval forceps suture-guiding method could make the advantage of minimally invasive repair with less complications, reduced surgical time and similar functional outcomes compared with the traditional open surgery. In addition, our new technique could save the cost of surgery with the compare of the Achillon device. At the same time for the cases which the remote broken tendon ends were within 2 cm from the calcaneal nodules, because of the less tendon tissue was left in the remote side, traditional percutaneous methods are incapable to ensure the reconstruction strength. By using the anchor nail, the improved technique has better repair capacity and expands the operation indication of oval forceps method.