ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:The incidence of complications folowing conventional repairing for the ruptured tendon is up to 73%, such as delayed healing, adhesion, secondary rupture. These complications severely affect ankle joint function of the patients. OBJECTIVE:To reduce the complications folowing the repair and investigate the role of hernia repair materials in the repairing of ruptured Achiles tendon. METHODS:Eleven patients who underwent repair of ruptured Achiles tendon were retrospectively studied. Among them there were eight males and three females with the mean age of 42 years (26-58 years). Three cases were injured in left side and eight cases were in right side; four cases were open injury by sickle-induced damage and seven cases were closed injury by exercise-induced damage. The hernia repair materials after pruning was applied with a “wrap” method to strengthen the anastomosis repair of Achiles tendon after the conventional repair surgery had been completed. At the time of folow-up, al patients were observed for postoperative local appearance and function recovery, and assessed with Arner Lindholm standards. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The folow-up interval was 6-45 months (average 24.5 months). Two cases were lost to folow-up. According to the Arner Lindholm standards, the effects were excelent in seven cases (78%) and good in two cases (22%). Local appearance and function recovered wel postoperatively, and no complications occurred such as wound infection, secondary rupture and so on. A “wrap” method with hernia repair materials is suggested to strengthen the anastomosis repair of ruptured Achiles tendon after the conventional repair surgery is completed, it can significantly promote the healing of Achiles tendon ruptured end anastomosis, prevent Achiles tendon recurrent ruptures, local adhesion and infection.