SLR - May 2011 - Katrina Hallahan
Reference: Henríquez H, Muñoz R, Carcuro R and Bastías C. Is Percutaneous Repair Better Than Open Repair in Acute Achilles Tendon Rupture? CORR Volume 469: Online March 2011.
Scientific Literature Review
Reviewed by: Katrina Hallahan
Residency Program: Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
Podiatric Relevance:
The authors compare percutaneous versus open repair of acute Achilles tendon ruptures in terms of function, cosmesis, and complications.
Methods:
The authors retrospectively reviewed 32 surgically treated patients with Achilles rupture: 17 with percutaneous repair and 15 with open repair. All patients followed a standardized rehabilitation protocol.
Results:
The authors observed similar values of plantarflexion strength, ROM, calf and ankle perimeter, and single heel raising test between the groups. Mean time to return to work was longer for patients who had open versus percutaneous repair (5.6 months versus 2.8 months respectively). Mean scar length was greater in the open repair group (9.5 cm versus 2.9 cm). Cosmetic appearance was better in the percutaneous group. Two wound complications and one rerupture were found in the open repair group. One case of deep venous thrombosis occurred in the percutaneous repair group.
Conclusions:
The authors conclude that percutaneous repair provides function similar to that achieved with open repair, with a better cosmetic appearance, a lower rate of wound complications, and no apparent increase in the risk of rerupture.