Efficacy comparison of bundle suture and Krackow suture in the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture / 中华创伤杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of bundle suture and Krackow suture in the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 58 patients with acute closed Achilles tendon rupture admitted to Tongji Hospital of Tongji University from August 2014 to August 2021, including 53 males and 5 females, aged 27-55 years [(39.6±7.1)years]. The patients were treated with open repair and were assigned to bundle suture group ( n=30) and Krackow suture group ( n=28). The incision length and operative time were compared between the two groups. The healing of the Achilles tendon was observed. The difference in circumference between the affected and healthy side of the calf, ratio of width to anterior-posterior diameter at the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon rupture, and ratio of scar tissue to tendinous fibrous tissue at the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon rupture were measured at 12 months after surgery. At the same time, the complete Achilles tendon rupture score (ATRS) and American Foot and Ankle Surgery Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score were performed. The occurrence of complications was observed at follow-up. Results:All patients were followed up for 12-28 months [(17.9±4.2)months]. The incision length and operative time in bundle suture group [6.0(4.5, 9.0)cm, 77.5(60.0, 95.0)minutes] were significantly shorter or longer than those in Krackow suture group [8.0(7.0, 11.0)cm, 68.5(55.0, 86.0)minutes] (all P<0.01). After 3 months, healing of the Achilles tendon was obtained in both groups. After 12 months, the difference in circumference between the affected and healthy side of the calf was (2.0±0.9)cm in bundle suture group and was (1.9±0.9)cm in Krackow suture group ( P>0.05); the ratio of width to anterior-posterior diameter at the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon rupture was 1.42±0.20 in bundle suture group, significantly greater than 1.27±0.16 in Krackow suture group ( P<0.01); the ratio of scar tissue to tendinous fibrous tissue at the cross-sectional area of Achilles tendon rupture was 8.6%(6.0%, 24.0%) in bundle suture group, significantly lower than 11.9%(9.0%, 33.0%) in Krackow suture group ( P<0.01); the ATRS and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score were 91.5(80.0, 99.0)points and 93.0(82.0, 100)points in bundle suture group, similar to 89.0(75.0, 99.0)points and 91.5(77.0, 99.0)points in Krackow suture group (all P>0.05). During the follow-up period, the occurrence of complications were not significantly different between bundle suture group [no deep infection, early Achilles tendon rerupture in 2 patients (7%) ] and Krackow suture group [deep infection in 1 patient (4%), early Achilles tendon rerupture in 1 patient (4%)] (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Both bundle suture and Krackow suture can achieve satisfactory clinical efficacy in the treatment of acute closed Achilles tendon rupture. However, the bundle suture is more conducive to restoring normal anatomical shape of the Achilles tendon and reducing scar formation at the end of the Achilles tendon rupture.