Achilles Tendon Rupture Repairs: Clinical Outcomes of a Novel Technique
Authors: Williams Caroline , Zhao John Z. , Kwon John Y. , Miller Christopher P. 
Published: January 2022

Category:

Trauma; Ankle; Sports

Introduction/Purpose:

Acute Achilles tendon rupture repair has undergone several changes in the past decade, aiming to minimize complications while maximizing clinical outcomes. Less invasive approaches have been associated with comparable results and decreased infection risk compared with traditional open techniques. Patient positioning during surgery also influences outcomes; prone positioning is associated with increased operative times as well as risk of neuropraxia and ophthalmologic injuries as compared to supine positioning. The Medial Mini-Open Supine (MMOS) Achilles Repair technique combines the benefits of supine positioning and mini-open techniques. This study compares 1-year clinical outcomes, operative times, and complication rates of patients undergoing repair with this novel technique to those treated with an open or mini-open approach with prone positioning.

Methods:

Patients undergoing operative acute Achilles rupture repair at our institution after February 2015 were included in this study. Patients were grouped by technique used: 1) open repair with prone positioning, 2) mini-open repair with prone positioning, or 3) the medial mini-open repair with supine positioning. Patients were followed for a minimum of 1 year postoperatively. Primary outcome measures include Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) scores (Physical Function, Pain Interference and Depression), Foot and Ankle Ability Measure (FAAM) assessments (ADLs and Sport) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) pain scores. Secondary outcome measures include intraoperative times and complication rates. Statistical analysis to assess for significant differences between the groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis test, Nemenyi test, ANOVA with posthoc Tukey test and chi-square test as was appropriate.

Results:

A total of 56 patients (Group 1: n=18, Group 2: n=14, Group 3: n=24) were included in this study. Average 1-year PROMIS Physical Function scores were 59.57 (+-12.9), 64.29 (+-13.96) and 63.03 (+-11.69) for Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Average Pain Interference scores were 46.05 (+-17.65), 42.12 (+-8.75) and 42.48 (+-7.11). Depression score averages were 40.79 (+-7.61), 36.87 (+-9.35) and 39.81 (+-9.48) for Groups 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Differences between groups were not significant (p >0.05). Group 3 had statistically significant differences in total OR time compared to both Groups 1 and 2. The median difference was 33 min between Groups 1 and 3, and 35 min between Groups 2 and 3 (p<0.01) The majority of time savings arose from pre- incision setup and post-closure times. Differences in complication rates (5.5% (n=1), 14.3% (n=2), and 12.5% (n=3), for Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively) were not statistically significant (p=0.73).

Conclusion:

The Medial Mini-Open Supine Achilles Repair technique shows promise as a viable option for acute Achilles tendon rupture repair; ease of patient positioning preoperatively translates to decreased set up, operative, and sedation time, directly benefiting patients. Patient-reported outcomes at 1-year follow-up demonstrate comparable results with both open and mini-open prone techniques, without an increase in complication rates.