A Comparative Study of Surgical Treatment in the Ruptured Achilles Tendon: Minimal incision and Open repair

Kong, Gyu Min; Gwak, Heui Chul; Kim, Jeon Gyo

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare and analyse the clinical outcomes of minimal incision repair and open repair in ruptured Achilles tendon.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
We retrospectively analyzed the outcomes of 10 patients with minimal incision repair (group 1) and 19 patients with open repair (group 2) from February 2007 to June 2011. The postoperative clinical evaluations were done by Arner-Lindholm scale, AOFAS score, overall patient's satisfaction and cosmetic satisfaction of scar.
RESULTS
There was no statistical difference between two groups in Arner-Lindholm scale, AOFAS score, overall patient's satisfaction (p=1.21, 0.87, 1.07). There was statistically high rate of cosmetic satisfaction in group 1(p<0.001). There were no complications in group 1. Complications occurred in three patients (deep infection, rerupture, deep vein thrombosis) of group 2.
CONCLUSION
Treatment of minimal incision repair in Achilles's tendon ruptures showed high rate of cosmetic satisfaction and low rate of complication's, but there were no significant differences with open repair in other clinical outcomes. The minimal incision repair could be recommended as one of the effective treatment for the Achilles's tendon ruptures.