[Preliminary effectiveness of laminated bevel suturing technique for treating acute closed Achilles tendon rupture]

To introduce a modified technique for treating acute closed Achilles tendon rupture and evaluate the preliminary effectiveness.

Between March 2011 and September 2015, 8 cases (8 sides) with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture were repaired with the laminated bevel suturing technique. All of the patients were male with an average age of 39.3 years (range, 22-58 years), injured in nonprofessional sports. The diagnosis was confirmed by typical signs of positive heel-lift test and Thompson test; the complete rupture of Achilles tendon was determined by color Doppler ultrasound or MRI, and the distance between the stump and calcaneus was 2-5 cm (mean, 3.3 cm). The time from injury to operation was 2-12 days (mean, 4.1 days). With the patient in prone position, a posterior longitudinal incision medial to the tendon was made, the broken stumps of Achilles tendon were divided into 3 layers on the coronal plane, fibers made into strips. The strips were staggered and stacked, stitched side to side with absorbable suture. The ankle joint at the plantar flexion position was fixed with plaster, and early rehabilitation exercise was carried out.

The operation time was 70-135 minutes (mean, 99 minutes); the intraoperative blood loss was 5-30 mL (mean, 15.6 mL). All the incisions healed by first intention without infection, except for 1 case who need dressing exchange because of partial delayed healing. All the patients were followed up 6-50 months (mean, 30.5 months). There was no complication of surgical site infection, sural nerve injury, or deep vein thrombosis. The patients could walk normally with powerful raising heels and return to previous sports, without complication of re-rupture. Compared with the contralateral side, the activity of ankle joint dorsiflexion reduced 0-6° (mean, 3°); plantar flexion reduced 1-5° (mean, 2°). At last follow-up, according to Arner-Lindholm score, the surgical results were excellent in 7 cases and good in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 100%.

Laminated bevel suturing technique is simple for repairing acute closed Achilles tendon rupture without the need of special surgical instruments. It provides enough tensile strength for early rehabilitation exercise to rapid and good recovery.