Improved Krackow Method Combined with Unilateral Mattress Suture for Treating Recent Achilles Tendon Rupture

The report describes the clinical efficacy of improved Krackow method combined with unilateral mattress suture for treating fresh Achilles tendon rupture. The clinical data of 19 patients, 18 males (94.7%) and one female (5.3%), with recent Achilles tendon rupture undergoing the above procedure at Department of Orthopaedics, Orthopaedic Hospital of Guizhou Province, Guiyang, China, from May 2013 to May 2016, were retrospectively analysed. The enrolled patients were aged from 19 to 56 years. The injury time to operation time was 1-10 days with an average of 2.9 days. Postoperative curative effectiveness was evaluated according to the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) Ankle- Hindfoot postoperative function score. All patients remained under an OPD follow-up from 7 to 18 months (average of 11.8 months). Among them, incision of 16 patients healed by primary intention. Incision edge of three patients showed darkening and effusion, without recovery after change of dressings. No sural nerve injury or re-rupture of Achilles tendon were noted and the AOFAS score was 97.4. Improved Krackow method with unilateral mattress suture has good curative effectiveness to skin and tendon, reducing the risk of Achilles tendon re-rupture, skin infections, and necrosis.