Reduced length of stay with minimally invasive repair of ruptured achilles tendon.

Minimally invasive techniques to repair ruptured achilles tendons have been developed to enhance recovery following tendon repair and decrease wound complications associated with open repair. We investigated outcomes of minimally invasive and open repair of acutely ruptured achilles tendons at our institution. We compared all cases of achilles tendon repair at our department, using open techniques and minimally invasive techniques with the Achillon device, over a two year period. Length of stay and operating time was recorded, as were any complication rates, including tendon re-rupture. Post-operatively functional outcome questionnaires were sent to all patients. In total 39 patients underwent open repair and 26 underwent minimally invasive repair. Length of stay was significantly shorter in the minimally invasive group, with 58% of minimally invasive cases performed as a day case, compared to 31.1% of open cases (p = 0.02). There was no difference in complication rates, including re-rupture, or functional outcome scores. Minimally invasive repair of ruptured achilles tendons results in reduced length of stay, compared to open repair. There is no evidence of weaker tendon repairs with minimally invasive techniques. Overall functional outcomes between both groups appear similar. Level of Evidence : III.