Minimally Invasive vs. Classical Technique in Primary Repair of Achilles Tendon in Men Aged 20-40 Years.

BACKGROUND: Injuries to the Achilles tendon in men aged 20-40 years are most commonly caused by intensified physical activity leading to prolonged overload of the tendon. Most injuries affect the tendon's proximal third, which is less vascularised. Surgery for Achilles tendon injuries aims to obtain the best possible gait biomechanics and quickly restore the patient's functional performance. Clinical outcomes vary with the surgical technique used. This article presents the results of a study comparing the minimally invasive technique and the classical technique for primary repair of the Achilles tendon in men aged 20-40 years.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective clinical analysis was performed to investigate the treatment outcomes of 10 male patients aged 20-40 years and free from chronic medical conditions. The experimental group consisted of 5 men operated on using a minimally invasive technique in the form of a modified Webb-Bannister technique where the tendon is not sutured, but the tendon stumps are brought close together, resulting in better healing without the tendon being compressed. A control group consisted of 5 men who were subjected to conventional tendon repair.

RESULTS: A follow-up of one year found that both techniques of Achilles tendon repair produced positive clinical outcomes, with better effectiveness of the minimally invasive technique noted in the early phase of treatment.

CONCLUSION: Men undergoing surgery for complete rupture of the Achilles tendon experience fewer complications related to surgical wound healing and achieve good mobility in the talocrural joint earlier when minimally invasive surgery is used as compared with conventional (classical) repair.