Medial Achilles tendon island flap--a novel technique to treat reruptures and neglected ruptures of the Achilles tendon.

PURPOSE: There is a strong consensus for surgical treatment of reruptures and neglected ruptures of the Achilles tendon. A number of different surgical techniques have been described and several of these methods include extensive surgical exposure to the calf and technically demanding tendon transfers. The overall risk of complications is high and in particular the risk for wound healing problems, which are triggered by an increased tension in the skin when inserting a bulky graft to cover the rupture. In order to reduce the risk for wound healing problems a new, less complicated surgical technique was developed, as described in this study. METHODS: Nine consecutive patients (including six chronic ruptures and three reruptures) with complicating co-morbidities and with a tendon defect between three and eight centimetres were operated upon using the described novel technique. Patient-reported functional outcome was reported after two to eight years. RESULTS: All tendon defects were successfully repaired. Neither early nor late surgical complications occurred. High patient satisfaction was reported for all patients. CONCLUSIONS: The new surgical technique with a medial Achilles tendon island flap seems to be safe and results in a good patient reported outcome.

Lower tourniquet cuff pressure reduces postoperative wound complications after total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled study of 164 patients.

BACKGROUND: Measurement of limb occlusion pressure before surgery might lead to the use of a lower tourniquet cuff pressure during surgery and thereby reduce the risk of postoperative pain and complications. The primary aim of this study was to investigate whether the limb-occlusion-pressure method reduces the tourniquet cuff pressure used during total knee arthroplasty and if this leads to less postoperative pain compared with that experienced by patients on whom this method is not used. The secondary aim was to investigate whether there were any differences regarding the quality of the bloodless field, range of motion, and postoperative wound complications. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-four patients scheduled to be treated with a total knee arthroplasty were randomized to a control group or to undergo the intervention under study (the limb-occlusion-pressure [LOP] group). In the control group, the tourniquet cuff pressure was based on the patient's systolic blood pressure and a margin decided by the surgeon (the routine method). In the LOP group, the tourniquet cuff pressure was based on the measurement of the limb occlusion pressure. The primary outcome measure was postoperative pain, and the secondary outcome measures were the quality of the bloodless field, knee motion, and wound-related complications at discharge and two months after surgery. RESULTS: The tourniquet cuff pressure was significantly lower in the LOP group than in the control group (p < 0.001). We could not demonstrate any differences between the groups regarding postoperative pain or complications, although the number of postoperative complications was relatively high in both groups. However, at discharge forty of the forty-seven patients with a wound complication had had a cuff pressure above 225 mm Hg and at the two-month follow-up evaluation fourteen of the sixteen patients with a wound complication had had a cuff pressure above 225 mm Hg. CONCLUSIONS: The limb-occlusion-pressure method reduces the cuff pressure without reducing the quality of the bloodless field, but there were no differences in outcomes between the groups. An important secondary finding was that patients with a cuff pressure of ≤225 mm Hg had no postoperative infections and a lower rate of wound complications.

Skin protection underneath the pneumatic tourniquet during total knee arthroplasty: a randomized controlled trial of 92 patients.

BACKGROUND: The use of a pneumatic tourniquet to obtain a bloodless field during a total knee arthroplasty (TKA) allows the surgeon to work with greater technical precision in a safe, clear environment. Despite the benefits of surgical tourniquets and many advances in tourniquet equipment, their use is not without risk and complications may still occur. The primary aim of this study was to determine whether there are any differences between an elastic stockinette, cast padding, and no protective material at all regarding skin injuries after a primary TKA in a bloodless field using a pneumatic tourniquet. METHODS: 92 patients were randomized to 1 of 3 groups. In the first group, the limb underneath the pneumatic tourniquet was protected by a two-layer elastic stockinette (E). In the second group, it was protected by cast padding (C), and no protective material (N) was used in the third group. The presence of major skin injuries (blisters) was recorded when the tourniquet was removed after surgery. RESULTS: The two groups with skin protection had fewer skin injuries (p = 0.007). The elastic stockinette was significantly better than having no protective material and there was a trend towards better results in the elastic stockinette group than in the cast padding group. INTERPRETATIONS: Our findings indicate that protective material underneath the tourniquet cuff reduces the risk of skin injuries, i.e. blisters. An elastic stockinette appears to be best.