ABSTRACT
Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy in one stage reconstruction of composite defects of Achilles tendon and surrounding soft tissues with a flap transfer combined with allogeneic tendon transplantation.Methods:From July 2018 to August 2022, a total of 12 patients, including 9 males and 3 females, with a mean age of 31.5(ranged 8 to 56) years old, had surgery with flap transfer combined with transplantation of allogeneic tendon in one stage reconstruction for compound defects of Achilles tendon and soft tissue at the Department of Orthopaedics of First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University. The defects of Achilles tendons ranged from 4.0 to 9.0 cm, and the soft tissue defects sized from 3.0 cm × 4.0 cm to 14.0 cm × 6.0 cm. Of the 12 patients, 6 received transfers of sural neurovascular flaps, 3 with peroneal perforator flaps and 3 with free anterolateral thigh flaps(ALTF). The flaps sized from 4.0 cm × 4.5 cm to 15.0 cm×7.0 cm, and in addition, allogeneic tendon grafts were used to reconstruct the defects of Achilles tendons in all patients. All the flap donor sites were either directly sutured or covered with skin grafts. Follow-up was carried out by visits of outpatient clinic or telephone or WeChat distant interviews. The flap survival and recovery of ankle function and Achilles tendon were observed.Results:During the 3 months to 2 years of follow-up, none of the patient showed obvious immunological rejection against the transplanted allogeneic tendon. All 12 flaps survived well with the colour and texture close to the surrounding skin. No ulceration occurred in both of the donor and recipient sites. There was no re-rupture of the transplanted allogeneic tendon. At the final follow-up, ankle movement was measured at 13.4°±2.6° in dorsal extension and 33.6°±3.2° in plantar flexion. According to American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle and hind foot function score, a score of 88.7±5.6 was achieved with 7 patients in excellent, 4 in good and 1 was acceptable.Conclusion:In patients with a composite defect of Achilles tendon and surrrounding soft tissue, the application of a flap transfer combined with a homogeneous allograft tendon transplantation in an one stage surgery is a feasible surgical procedure. It can achieve a satisfactory outcome with less trauma and fewer complications.
