Author/Editor		Čretnik, Andrej; Kosanović, Miloš; Smrkolj, Vladimir
Title		Percutaneous suturing of the ruptured Achilles tendon under local anesthesia
Type		članek
Source		J Foot Ankle Surg
Vol. and No.		Letnik 43, št. 2
Publication year		2004
Volume		str. 72-81
Language		eng
Abstract		A prospective study of modified percutaneous Achilles tendon repair performed from 1991 to 1997 under local anesthesia with a minimum 2-year follow-up is presented. There were 134 procedures in 124 men and 8 women (mean age, 37 years) treated within 7 days after acute total rupture. Postoperative care consisted of wearing a cast or soft-cast immobilization for 6 weeks. The procedure was well tolerated in all patients. There was 1 (0.7%) complete and 4 (3%) partial reruptures. Six patients (4.5%) developed transient sural neuritis that spontaneously resolved in 3 to 10 months. One case of deep venous thrombosis was successfully treated. There were no cases of increased postoperative dorsiflexion, deep infection, or necrosis. Eighteen patients (14%) had a slightly decreased range of ankle motion; 129 (98%) patients, including all high-caliber athletes, resumed all their previous activities, 22 of them (17%) with some minor complaints. The mean American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society's ankle-hindfoot score was 96 points. The proposed method offers a reasonable treatment option for acute total Achilles tendon ruptures, with a low number of complications and a low risk of sural nerve injury. The rerupture rate and return to preinjury activities is comparable to open procedures.
Descriptors		ACHILLES TENDON RUPTURE ANESTHESIA, LOCAL TREATMENT OUTCOME POSTOPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS PROSPECTIVE STUDIES