Ethibond Suture Granuloma Formation Following Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures

Abstract

Achilles tendon rupture can be adequately treated by surgical repair. This study aimed to represent the incidence, presentation, outcome of treatment of Ethibond granuloma, which is a rare complication following surgical repair. This study was a review of 672 patients who had open surgical repair of the Achilles tendon rupture using Ethibond sutures. Eleven (1.6%) patients developed suture granuloma postoperatively and were included in the study. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and histopathological data were reviewed. The outcome of treatment was evaluated. This study included ten males and one female, with a mean age of 31.4 ± 13.7 years. Two patients had diabetes mellitus, and three patients were smoking. All patients presented with swelling and discharge around the surgical site compromising their daily living activities. The mean time interval between the surgical procedure and the diagnosis of granuloma formation was 6 ± 3.2 months. Patients were treated by surgical debridement and granuloma excision. The healing and fixation strength of the primary repair were not affected. The wound healed entirely at a mean of 2.6 ± 0.5 weeks. With a mean follow-up period of 14.6 ± 2.2 months, all patients had a fully functional tendon and were able to resume normal daily living activities. Ethibond sutures may rarely cause granuloma formation months after the primary repair of Achilles tendon rupture. The granuloma does not affect the strength of the primary repair and can be treated adequately with debridement and excision with a complete wound resolution. Defining the incidence and outcome of treatment of Ethibond suture granuloma as a devastating complication following acute Achilles tendon repair. Level IV, retrospective. Darwish A, Gamal O, Mesregah MK. Ethibond Suture Granuloma Formation Following Repair of Acute Achilles Tendon Ruptures. J Foot Ankle Surg (Asia Pacific) 2021;8(1):12–15.