Gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flaps combined with suture anchors for reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the long-term results of gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flaps and suture anchors in reconstruction of chronic Achilles tendon rupture.Methods From September 2007 to February 2010,20 patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture were reconstructed with gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flaps plus suture anchors.There were 13 males and 7 females at mean age of 36 years (range,23-50 years).Unilateral tendon rupture was observed in 19 patients and bilateral in 1 patient.Tendon defect gap was 5-9 cm (mean 6.7 cm).Braces were used to immobilize the lower limber,and early exercise was encouraged.The outcomes were assessed using Arner-Lindhohm scoring system and Leppilahti scoring system.Results Postoperative recovery was uneventful.No patients experienced cut infection or other complications.After a mean 38-month follow-up (range,30-42 months),all patients could stand on the injured toes.Muscular strength of the affected lower limber was restored to 89％ of the unaffected side.According to the Arner-Lindhohm score,10 patients were rated as excellent and ten good.Mean Leppilahti score was 85 points (range,60-100 points),with excellent results in nine patients,good results in 10 and fair result in one.Conclusion For patients with chronic Achilles tendon rupture,the reconstructing using gastrocnemius fascial turn-down flaps combined with suture anchors can attain rigid fixation,early functional exercise,effective prevention of tendon adhesion,and good function recovery.