Dresden technique versus open surgery for acute Achilles tendon ruptures

Objective To compare the outcomes of Dresden technique versus open surgery for acute Achilles tendon ruptures. Methods From January 2013 to June 2017, 67 patients were operatively treated for acute Achilles tendon rupture at Department of Orthopaedics, China Japan Friendship Hospital.Of them, Dresden technique was used in 32 (minimally invasive group) and open surgery in 35 (open surgery group).The 2 groups were compared in terms of baseline characteristics, operation time, operative incision length, hospital stay, postoperative complications like incision infection and tendon re-rupture and the Achilles Tendon Total Rupture Score (ATRS). Results The 2 groups were compatible due to insignificant differences in the baseline characteristics (P>0.05).They were followed up for 18 months.The minimally invasive group had significant shorter operation time (40.0 min), incision length (3.0 cm) and hospital stay (5 d) than the open surgery group (42.5 min, 10.0 cm and 6 d) (P 0.05). Conclusions Percutaneous suture of the Achilles tendon with the Dresden instruments is a safe, fast and standardized surgical procedure for acute Achilles tendon ruptures, leading to shorter operation time, incision length and hospital stay, better functional recovery and a tendency of decreased wound complications than the open surgery. Key words: Achilles tendon; Tendon injuries; Surgical procedures, minimally invasive