Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair with absorbable suture: Outcomes and complications

Abstract

Background and objectiveThe purpose of this study is to evaluate the clinical outcomes and complications of percutaneous Achilles tendon repair with absorbable sutures. Material and methodsProspective cohort study including 52 patients treated for Achilles tendon ruptures (January 2016 to March 2019).Inclusion criteria: ≥18 years of age, non-insertional Achilles tendon ruptures. Diagnosis based on clinical criteria, confirmed by ultrasonography.Assessment using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), Achilles Tendon Rupture Score (ATRS) and ultrasound. Re-rupture rate and postoperative complications were collected. ResultsVAS scoring (SD) at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months follow-up (FU) were 2.63 (0.83), 1.79 (1.25), 0.69 (1.09) and 0.08 (0.39), respectively. Mean (SD) ATRS score was 92.45 points at 6 months (6.27) and 94.04 points at 12 months FU (4.59). Three re-ruptures (5.77%) occurred with a mean time between surgery and re-rupture of 108.75 days (SD 28.4), all of them within 4-month FU. No ruptures at the time to return to sports activity. Thirteen complications (25%) (3 re-ruptures, 1 superficial wound infection and 9 transitory sural nerve injuries). ConclusionsPercutaneous Achilles tendon repair with absorbable sutures in patients with acute Achilles tendon ruptures has shown good functional results but with a high incidence of complications. Although most complications were transitory sural nerve symptoms, these would be avoided with conservative treatment. Conservative treatment associated with an early weight-bearing rehabilitation protocol should be considered a viable option for patients with Achilles tendon ruptures, specially in cooperative young patients.