Surgical Takedown Approaches to Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy: A Systematic Review

Various techniques of surgical detachment for treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy have been described, including lateral release, medial release, central tendon splitting (CTS), and complete detachment. A systematic review of electronic databases was performed, encompassing 17 studies involving 703 patients and 746 feet, to compare outcomes associated with surgical takedown techniques. Observed results include wound complication rates (CTS 2.8%; Lateral 0%; Medial 0.4%; Complete 1.3%), postoperative rupture rates (CTS 0.7%; Lateral 0.8%; Medial 0.7%; Complete 2.6%), rate of revision (CTS 0.4%; Lateral 0.9%; Medial 4.2%; Complete 2.6%), rate of infection (CTS 1.1%; Lateral 1.7%; Medial 3.7%; Complete 6.5%). Lateral takedown group was found to have a statistically significant lower rate of complications compared to the complete takedown group (p = .0029). In light of these results, it is recommended that patient characteristics such as case specific tendon pathology and calcaneal morphology take precedent in determining the surgical approach to Achilles takedown.     

Long-term Results of Surgical Treatment of Hydatid Disease

Background-Aims: non-radical surgery is the preferred method of treatment of hydatid liver disease, and is associated with low mortality and recurrence rate. The purpose of the study is the retrospective analysis of the outcome of patients who were treated surgically in a single institution.

Material and methods: between 1987 and 2005, 59 patients, mean age 58.2 ± 15.9 (13–83) years, underwent surgery for liver hydatid disease. The patients were reassessed with physical examination, serological tests and radiological examination for the evaluation of the recurrence rate.

Results: most cysts were solitary, the more frequently affecting the right lobe of the liver. Radical surgery was possible in four cases (6.8%) that were classified as PNM stage I. Partial cystectomy and omentoplasty was performed in 37 patients (62.7%) and external drainage with partial cystectomy in 18 patients (30.5%). The hospital morbidity was 27.2% and was found to be related to ASA class (p = 0.019). Hospital mortality was 5.1%. The median follow-up time was 94 (1–228) months and 45 out of 59 patients (76.3%) were reassessed, but no recurrence was recorded. There was no significant difference in morbidity, mortality, and hospital stay between partial cystectomy combined with external drainage or omentoplasty (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: PNM staging seems to be a reliable tool in selecting patients with liver hydatid disease for non-radical or radical surgery. Omentoplasty is an easy and effective surgical method for the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis but is not different than partial cystectomy and external drainage in regard to morbidity, mortality, and recurrence.     

Surgical Considerations for the Neglected or Chronic Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Combined Technique for Reconstruction

The Achilles tendon is among the most commonly injured tendons in the human body. The most common reason for delayed treatment is a missed diagnosis or a deficiency in presentation. The neglected or chronically ruptured Achilles tendon presents a unique treatment challenge. The surgical approach varies greatly depending on the extent of degeneration and the resultant gap between the opposing tendon ends. Most surgeons have recommended the use of a tendon transfer or augmentation to strengthen the Achilles tendon repair. The following technique uses a flexor hallucis longus tendon transfer with gastrocnemius aponeurosis turndown flap augmentation. This technique has been commonly performed by us with success.     

Percutaneous Ultrasonic Tenotomy for Achilles Tendinopathy Is a Surgical Procedure With Similar Complications

Percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy is a relatively new treatment option for multiple types of tendinopathy. However, a paucity of high-level data is available on its use for chronic Achilles tendinosis. The present case series details the complications associated with the use of this technique. When considering percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy, the surgeon should be cognizant that it is a surgical procedure with complications similar to those of other Achilles tendon surgeries.     

Clinical Impact of Metabolic Syndrome on Eccentric Exercises for Chronic Insertional Achilles Tendinopathy

Metabolic syndrome is one factor known to contribute to the development of tendinopathies. The aim of this study was to compare the clinical outcomes of eccentric calf-muscle exercise for treatment of chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy in patients with or without metabolic syndrome. Twenty-eight patients with chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy and metabolic syndrome who performed eccentric calf-muscle exercise were retrospectively compared with 28 age- and sex-matched controls without metabolic syndrome. Comparisons between the 2 groups were made by evaluating the Visual Analog Scale for pain, patient satisfaction, and amount of pain medications needed during 3 months of follow-up. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures showed that the pain scales in the metabolic syndrome group were higher than those in the control group during the follow-up period (F[1,54] = 24.45, p < .001). The patient satisfaction ratings were lower and the amount of required pain medication was higher in the metabolic syndrome group (p < .001 and p < .001, respectively). Eccentric calf-muscle exercises for chronic insertional Achilles tendinopathy were less effective in patients with metabolic syndrome. Therefore, these patients should be managed with a combination of other treatment modalities rather than eccentric exercise alone.     

Endoscopic treatment of insertional Achilles tendinopathy: Surgical techniques and indications

Haglund syndrome is a common cause of heel pain that can affect either young and middle-aged patients. When indicated, surgical treatment can be performed using an open, percutaneous or endoscopic technique. A high rate of complications rate, especially due to healing of skin incisions, has been reported by open techniques, for this reason minimally invasive procedures treating insertional Achilles tendinopathy has recently gained popularity. Endoscopy allows to perform several procedures such as bursectomy, calcaneoplasty, Achilles tendon reattachment with anchors and Flexor Hallucis Longus transfer. Aim of this work is to provide an update on existing endoscopic techniques for the Achilles tendon pathologies treatment. These techniques represent an important tool for the orthopedic surgeon when treating Achilles tendon pathologies.     

肘关节"恐怖三联征"的手术治疗-改良手术技术及初步结果报道

目的 总结肱尺关节后脱位合并桡骨头和尺骨冠状突骨折的手术治疗体会.方法 回顾5例典型肘关节"恐怖三联征"的手术治疗结果.手术方法包括:经肘关节外侧入路予桡骨头骨折内固定、修补外侧副韧带及伸肌总腱止点.经肘关节内侧径路固定尺骨冠状突,修复肘关节周围关节囊和内外侧副韧带损伤.最后使用肘关节铰链式外固定支架固定肱尺关节脱位,恢复肘关节同心圆稳定性.于术后1、3、6个月及随访结束时,进行影像学和临床检查评估.结果 5例平均手术时间为76 min(60-150 min),平均随访时间8.8个月(3-13个月).外固定支架拆除时间6周(4-9周).至随访末患者肘关节活动度平均为(127±25)°.按照Mayo肘关节评分平均为87分(80-95分),优2例,良3例.无浅表或深部感染、皮肤无坏死、无骨化性肌炎等并发症.结论 通过手术内固定或修补肘关节稳定结构结合外固定支架维持肘关节同心圆解剖关系可以明显改善肘关节"恐怖三联征"患者肘关节的功能及预后,对此类损伤建议采用内固定结合外固定治疗.     

Tendinopathy of the main body of the Achilles tendon

Although Achilles tendinopathy has been extensively studied, there is a clear lack of properly conducted scientific research to clarify its etiology, pathology and optimal management. Emerging non-operative management and heavy load eccentric strengthening protocols based on these theories have yielded encouraging early results. Operative management traditionally produced good to excellent results, but randomized controlled studies comparing different surgical procedures and prospective evaluation of patient outcomes are necessary to truly establish the efficacy of these procedures. As the biology of tendinopathy is being clarified, more effective management regimens may come to light, improving the success rate of both conservative and operative management.