Marcello Zappia1, Daniela Berritto2, Francesco Oliva3, Nicola Maffulli4. 1. Dipartimento di Medicina e di Scienze della Salute, Università degli Studi del Molise, Via De Sanctis 1, 86100, Campobasso, Italy. 2. Department of Radiology, Private Hospital "Villa Dei Fiori" S.r.l. Accredited to National Health System, Acerra (NA), Italy. Electronic address: berritto.daniela@gmail.com. 3. Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy. 4. Head of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Azienda Ospedaliera San Giovanni di Dio e Ruggi d'Aragona, University of Salerno, Italy; Queen Mary University of London, Barts and the London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Centre for Sports and Exercise Medicine, Mile End Hospital, London, UK.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair has been developed to minimise soft tissue complications following treatment of tendon ruptures. However, there are concerns because of the risk of sural nerve injury. Few studies have investigated the relationship between the Achilles tendon, the sural nerve and its several anatomical course variants. METHODS: We studied 7 cadaveric limbs (7 Achilles tendons) in which a percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon was performed. On each tendon, high resolution real time ultrasonography examination was performed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist before and after the procedure, with the surgeons blind to the results of the scan both before and after surgery. RESULTS: In two instances, high resolution real time ultrasonography examination revealed nerve entrapment at the level of most proximal lateral suture. CONCLUSIONS: Since the sural nerve can be easily visualised using high-frequency high resolution real time ultrasonography, intraoperative ultrasound can be of assistance during percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon rupture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sural nerve can be readily visualised by high-frequency high resolution real time ultrasonography probes. It could be beneficial to use high resolution real time ultrasonography intraoperatively or perioperatively to minimise the risks of sural nerve injury when undertaking percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon tears.
BACKGROUND: Percutaneous Achilles tendon repair has been developed to minimise soft tissue complications following treatment of tendon ruptures. However, there are concerns because of the risk of sural nerve injury. Few studies have investigated the relationship between the Achilles tendon, the sural nerve and its several anatomical course variants. METHODS: We studied 7 cadaveric limbs (7 Achilles tendons) in which a percutaneous repair of the Achilles tendon was performed. On each tendon, high resolution real time ultrasonography examination was performed by an experienced musculoskeletal radiologist before and after the procedure, with the surgeons blind to the results of the scan both before and after surgery. RESULTS: In two instances, high resolution real time ultrasonography examination revealed nerve entrapment at the level of most proximal lateral suture. CONCLUSIONS: Since the sural nerve can be easily visualised using high-frequency high resolution real time ultrasonography, intraoperative ultrasound can be of assistance during percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon rupture. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The sural nerve can be readily visualised by high-frequency high resolution real time ultrasonography probes. It could be beneficial to use high resolution real time ultrasonography intraoperatively or perioperatively to minimise the risks of sural nerve injury when undertaking percutaneous repair of Achilles tendon tears.
Authors: Yang Yongliang; Jia Honglei; Zhang Wupeng; Xu Shihong; Wang Fu; Wang Bomin; Li Qinghu; Wang Yonghui; Han Shumei Journal: J Orthop Surg Res Date: 2020-07-11 Impact factor: 2.359