A false aneurysm complicating a subcutaneous Achilles tendon lengthening.

Subcutaneous lengthening of the Achilles tendon is a routinely used technique in our department. We report a case with a severe complication after this minor procedure in a 13-year-old patient with cerebral palsy. Six weeks after the operation the patient had a false aneurysm caused by a lesion of the posterior tibial artery at the time of surgery. After ligating the artery and draining the false aneurysm, recovery was uneventful. Although subcutaneous lengthening is an easy and reliable operation, one has to keep in mind its possible complications.