Endoscopy-Assisted Achilles Tendon Reconstruction With a Central Turndown Flap and Semitendinosus Augmentation

Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts are effective in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon ruptures - a systematic review

INTRODUCTION

A chronic Achilles tendon rupture (ATR) is defined as an ATR that has been left untreated for more than four weeks following rupture. This systematic review aims to summarize the outcomes of chronic ATR treated using either a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap or semitendinosus tendon graft.

METHODS

A systematic search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Scopus and Cochrane), for studies describing outcomes after surgical treatment of chronic ATR using gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps or semitendinosus tendon grafts with more than 10 patients included. The studies were assessed for quality and risk of bias using the Methodological Items used to assess risk of bias in Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS).

RESULTS

Out of the 818 studies identified with the initial search, a total of 36 studies with 763 individual patients were included in this systematic review. Gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was used in 21 and semitendinosus tendon graft was used in 13 of the studies. The mean (SD) postoperative Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS) for patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap was 83 (14) points and the mean (SD) American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Score (AOFAS) was 96 (1.7) points compared with ATRS 88 (6.9) points and AOFAS 92 (5.6) points for patients treated with a semitendinosus tendon graft. The included studies generally had low-quality according to MINORS, with a median of 8 (range 2-13) for all studies.

CONCLUSION

Both gastrocnemius aponeurosis flaps and semitendinosus tendon grafts give acceptable results with minimal complications and are valid methods for treating chronic ATR. The main difference is more wound healing complications in patients treated with a gastrocnemius aponeurosis flap and more sural nerve injuries in patients treated with a semitendinosus grafts. The current literature on the subject is of mainly low quality and the absence of a patient-related outcome measure validated for chronic ATR makes comparisons between studies difficult.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Free tendon grafts for surgical management of chronic tears of the main body of the Achilles tendon: a systematic review

PURPOSE

After four weeks from injury, tears of the Achilles tendon are considered chronic. Their management is challenging, and the use of a graft is suggested when the gap between proximal and distal stumps is greater than 6 cm. The present study systematically reviews the outcome of free tendon grafts in chronic ruptures of the Achilles tendon, evaluating clinical outcomes, complications and return to sport.

METHODS

The present study was conducted according to the PRISMA 2020 guidelines. PubMed, Google Scholar, Embase, and Web of Science databases were accessed in February 2023. All the published clinical studies reporting clinical outcome, return to sport and complications of free tendon grafts used the treatment of chronic rupture of the midportion of the Achilles Tendon were accessed. The mean CMS (Coleman Methodology Score) of 65.7 suggested an overall good quality of the available published articles, attesting to the low risk of bias.

RESULTS

Data from 22 articles (368 patients with a mean age of 47 years) were retrieved. The average time from rupture to surgery was 25.1 week. At last follow-up, the AOFAS (American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgery) and ATRS (Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score) scores improved of 33.8 (P = 0.0004), and 45.1 points (P = 0.0001) respectively. Return to activity was reported in 105 patients, and 82 (78.1%) had no activity limitations, while 19 (18.1%) had limited recreational but not daily activity limitations, and 4 (3.8%) reported limitations in daily activities. Return to sport data was reported in six studies, and 45 of 93 (48.4%) patients returned to sport at an average of 22.6 weeks.

CONCLUSION

In chronic tears of the Achilles tendon, with a gap of at least 6 cm, free tendon grafts allow predictable return to sport and acceptable recovery function.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level IV.

Surgical Management of Chronic Achilles Tendon Ruptures: A Systematic Review and Proposed Treatment Algorithm

Background

As no evidence-based treatment guidelines exist for chronic Achilles tendon rupture (CATR), a systematic review of the literature was performed to compare the different treatment options and recommend a literature-based algorithm.

Methods

In June 2022, MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically reviewed based on the PRISMA guidelines. The level of evidence (LOE) and quality of evidence were evaluated, and statistics on clinical outcomes and complications were calculated.

Results

Twenty-seven studies with 614 patients were included. Three studies were LOE III and 25 studies were LOE IV. The mean Achilles tendon rupture score improved from a preoperative weighted mean of 38.8 ± 12.4 to a postoperative score 90.6 ± 4.7. The overall complication rate was 11.4%. Single techniques were used in 23 studies and dual techniques were used in 5 studies. The FHL tendon transfer was the most frequently used technique. We devised an algorithmic approach based on time from injury to surgical intervention and the length of the gap between the tendon stumps: >3 months: FHL transfer; <3 months (a) gap <2 cm, end-to-end repair; (b) gap 2 to 5 cm, gastrocnemius transfer, (c) gap >5 cm, semitendinosus autograft.

Conclusion

Surgical management of CATR produced improvements in patient-reported outcome scores at midterm follow up, but a high complication rate (11.4%) was noted. Our proposed treatment algorithm may assist in shared decision making for this complex problem.

Total elbow arthroplasty with tricep turn-down flap in an old unreduced elbow dislocation: A case report

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE

The treatment preference for neglected elbow dislocation is by open reduction and lengthening the tricep muscle. If the dislocation is not reduced for more than 6 months, degenerative resorption would have occurred. We did total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) with a tricep turn-down flap for the management in this case. The use of a tricep flap for tricep shortening after unreduced elbow dislocation has been reported in previous publications but none used a turn-down flap.

CASE PRESENTATION

An 82-year-old woman came to the orthopedic outpatient clinic with pain and discomfort on her right elbow. The arm affected by the injury was her dominant hand, restricting her from farming and leisure activities. Exploration findings confirmed the presence of a dislocated elbow with associated soft tissue complications. The cartilage was degeneratively destructed, and the tricep muscle was retracted.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION

In our case, tricep shortening was managed with elongation using a turn-down flap. The lack of soft tissue layers and thin fibrous fascias results in tension-vulnerable TEA surgical wounds. This is caused by the insufficient coverage of the joint, which leads to wound complications. Previous studies of turn-down flap procedures showed good flap survival and functional outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Tricep turn-down flap could be an option for tricep lengthening procedures in unreduced neglected elbow joint dislocation.

Endoscopic-assisted locking block modified Krackow technique combined with a V-Y flap for chronic Achilles tendon rupture

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcomes of the endoscopic-assisted locking block modified Krackow technique with a V-Y flap. The hypothesis was that the minimally invasive technique can reduce wound complications and facilitate early recovery.

METHODS

In total, 29 men with chronic Achilles tendon rupture who underwent either minimally invasive technique (n = 13) or open repair (n = 16) at our department between 2013 and 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The rate of complications, time to return to moderate-intensity exercise, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot score, Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score, heel-rise repetitions in 1 min, heel-rise height, and bilateral calf circumference at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years postoperatively were recorded.

RESULTS

All incisions healed primarily in the minimally invasive technique group; however, three patients in the open repair group experienced wound complications. The time to return to moderate-intensity exercise, American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society score, Achilles tendon Total Rupture Score, heel-rise repetition ratio, and heel-rise height ratio at 6 months postoperatively in the minimally invasive technique group were significantly better than those in the open repair group. However, it was not significantly different between both groups at 2 years postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

Endoscopy allowed scar tissue and adhesions to be removed, allowing the tendon ends to be mobilized out of the small proximal and distal incisions. Minimally invasive technique may result in a lower wound complication incidence and provide better early functional recovery and return to moderate-intensity exercise time than the conventional open procedure in treating chronic Achilles tendon ruptures.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Wuxi Ninth People's Hospital Medical Ethical Committee, LW2021026.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

Management of chronic Achilles ruptures: a scoping review

PURPOSE

This scoping review aims to systematically map and summarise the available evidence on the management of chronic Achilles ruptures, whilst identifying prognostic factors and areas of future research.

METHODS

A scoping review was performed according to the frameworks of Arksey and O'Malley, Levac and Peters. A computer-based search was performed in PubMed, Embase, EmCare, CINAHL, ISI Web of Science and Scopus, for articles reporting treatment of chronic Achilles ruptures. Two reviewers independently performed title/abstract and full text screening according to pre-defined selection criteria.

RESULTS

A total of 747 unique articles were identified, of which 73 (9.8%) met all inclusion criteria. A variety of methods are described, with flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer being the most common. The most commonly reported outcome is the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) score, although 16 other measures were reported in the literatures. All studies comparing pre- and post-operative outcomes reported significant post-treatment improvement. Complications were reported in 50 studies, with an overall pooled complication rate of 168/1065 (15.8%).

CONCLUSION

Although beneficial results were reported following a variety of techniques, comparison between these is challenging due to the low-level study designs used and confounding factors such as treatment delay and tendon gap size. Further research comparing the efficacy of different techniques is required in order to facilitate the development of an evidence-based treatment protocol. Such work would allow clinicians to better understand the suitability of the large variety of reported techniques and select the optimal strategy for each individual patient.

Secondary reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture: flexor hallucis longus transfer versus plantaris longus augmentation

INTRODUCTION

Chronic Achilles tendon rupture is primarily caused by degenerative processes of multifactorial origin. In addition to secondary repair (SR) with augmentation of the plantaris longus tendon, the transfer of the flexor hallucis longus tendon (FHL) to the calcaneus is a recognised reconstruction procedure. This paper aims to provide a direct comparison based on clinical scores and objectifiable strength measurements.

METHODS

We analysed data for 60 patients (46 males and 14 females) with chronic Achilles tendon rupture, including 34 (mean age 57 years) treated with FHL and 26 (mean age 52 years) with SR between 2016 and 2020 (mean follow-up of 49 months). The follow-up included the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society Ankle-Hindfoot Scoring System (AOFAS-AH) and Visual Analogue Scale Foot and Ankle (VAS FA), the 12-item Short Form Survey (SF-12) and the objectifiable strength measurement using the dynamometer BIODEX®. Pre-existing gait disorders and permanent pain therapy led to exclusion.

RESULTS

The mean AOFAS-AH was 87.8 points (FHL: 85.6, SR: 90.6), the mean VAS FA was 78.1 points (FHL: 73.7, SR: 83.6), the mean PCS was 48.2 points (FHL: 46.3, SR: 50.7) and the mean MCS was 54.1 points (FHL: 55.0, SR: 53.0). The maximum torque for plantar flexion was 56.7 Nm on average (FHL: 51.0, SR: 63.7). A total of seven (11.7%) wound infections requiring revision occurred (FHL: 4 (11.8%), SR: 3 (11.5%)). All measurements did not differ significantly between the groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

The results of the study prove the equivalence of FHL and SR based on the clinical scores as well as on the strength measurement using BIODEX®. Nevertheless, a higher withdrawal because of morbidity with a tendency for prolonged incapacity to work in the FHL group has to be taken into account. The present work provides the basis for a prospective comparison in future studies.

Clinical outcomes of chronic Achilles tendon rupture treated with flexor hallucis longus grafting and flexor hallucis longus grafting plus additional augmentation: A meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture is still controversial. Many surgical procedures have been proposed and claim to have good post-operative clinical outcomes. These techniques include direct repair, V-Y flap, turndown flap, peroneus brevis tendon graft, flexor digitorum longus graft, FHL graft, semitendinosus graft, gracilis tendon graft or synthetic material. The two surgical techniques that are widely used include FHL grafting and the combination of FHL grafting plus additional augmentation. This meta-analysis was conducted with the purpose of comparing clinical outcomes of flexor hallucis longus (FHL) grafting and the combination of FHL grafting with additional augmentation techniques in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.

METHODS

Systematic literature searches were conducted on Medline, Embase and Scopus from their inception to April 4, 2019, and proceedings of reference list and scientific meetings were also searched. Relevant clinical studies (e.g., observational, cross-sectional, cohort or randomized controlled trial (RCT)) that reported AOFAS (American Orthopedic Foot Ankle Score) and postoperative complications of either technique were identified.

RESULTS

Six studies (N = 68) were included for the analysis of FHL, and six studies (N = 124) were included for analysis of FHL with augmentation. A pooling of mean and standard deviation of preoperative and postoperative AOFAS were 57.09 (3.63), 92.97 (22.67) in FHL group and 66.92 (3.16), 95.25 (4.71) in FHL with additional augmentation group respectively. The pooled UMD of AOFAS in FHL with additional augmentation were 2.28 (-1.86, 6.42) scores higher when compared to the FHL group. The prevalence of complications in FHL and FHL with additional augmentation were 14 (N = 120) and 10 (N = 63) patients. The chance of having complications of FHL with additional augmentation group was 0.74 (95% CI: 0.35, 1.56) lower than FHL group. However, there is no statistically significant difference.

CONCLUSIONS

FHL with additional augmentation group has higher foot function scores (AOFAS) and lower complications when compared to the FHL group. However this did not reach to statistically significant. Further research that assesses a larger sample size of RCTs is necessary to further evaluate FHL with additional augmentation and FHL in the treatment of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.

Tendoscopy of Achilles, peroneal and tibialis posterior tendons: An evidence-based update

BACKGROUND

Tendoscopy has been proposed in treating several conditions affecting tendons around the ankle. We reviewed literature to investigate the efficacy of Achilles, peroneal and tibialis posterior tendoscopy.

METHODS

Following the PRISMA checklist, the Medline, Scopus and EMBASE databases were searched, including studies reporting patients affected by disorders of Achilles, peroneal and tibialis posterior tendons and treated by tendoscopy (or tendoscopic-assisted procedures). The tendoscopic technique, rehabilitation protocol, clinical scores, patient satisfaction, success and failure rates and complications were evaluated.

RESULTS

Sixteen studies (319 procedures) dealt with Achilles tendoscopy, nine (108) and six (78) about peroneal and tibialis posterior, respectively. Wound healing, cosmetic results, complication rate, work and sport resumption delay were satisfactory. Clinical scores, classification methods and rehabilitation protocols adopted were heterogeneous.

CONCLUSIONS

The recent scientific evidence suggests that tendoscopy and endoscopic-assisted percutaneous procedures are a safe and effective treatment in chronic and acute disorders of tendons around the ankle.

Using Arthroscopic Techniques for Achilles Pathology

Endoscopically assisted procedures have been established to provide the surgeon with minimally invasive techniques to address common Achilles conditions. Modifications to some of these techniques as well as improvements in instrumentation have allowed these procedures to provide similar clinical results to the traditional open surgeries while reducing wound complications and accelerating patient's recoveries. The available literature on these techniques reports consistently good outcomes with few complications, making them appealing for surgeons to adopt.

Indirect transfer of the sternal head of the pectoralis major with autogenous semitendinosus augmentation to treat scapular winging secondary to long thoracic nerve palsy

BACKGROUND

Scapular winging resulting from long thoracic nerve palsy is uncommon but debilitating, and the choice of surgical treatment is inconsistent. The autogenous semitendinosus tendon plays a key role as an interposed tendon graft, although its use in the indirect transfer of the sternal head of the pectoralis major during the treatment of scapular winging has rarely been reported.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective review was performed during a 9-year period from the clinical data of 26 cases (28 shoulders) with indirect transfer of the sternal head of the pectoralis major with the interposition of an autogenous semitendinosus tendon graft for dynamic stabilization of the scapula. The range of active movement (forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, visual analog scale score, and complications were evaluated with a mean of 47 months of clinical follow-up.

RESULTS

Patients' active shoulder movements (forward elevation, abduction, and external rotation), American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and visual analog scale score showed significant improvements (P < .01). One seroma developed and resolved with extraction. Four shoulders had adhesive capsulitis and recovered after physiotherapy. There was no recurrence of scapular winging in any patient.

CONCLUSION

Timely treatment, often surgical, is vital to the recovery of scapular winging secondary to long thoracic nerve palsy. Our results suggest that indirect transfer of the sternal head of the pectoralis major with interposition of the autogenous semitendinosus tendon can effectively treat scapular winging due to long thoracic nerve palsy with limited sequelae. Widespread use of this technique is recommended.