A Comparative Evaluation of Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures for Open Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Pilot Study

Abstract

: This pilot study was performed to compare the functional and clinical results including complications after surgery in the open repair of Achilles tendon rupture with regard to the type of suture material. A consecutive series of twenty patients with acute Achilles tendon rupture who underwent open repair were enrolled in this pilot study. The patients were divided equally into 2 groups according to suture type. In the nonabsorbable suture group, No. 2 braided nonabsorbable polyethylene terephthalate sutures were used, and in the absorbable suture group, braided absorbable polyglactin sutures were used. The Korean version of the Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) and complications were assessed to evaluate functional and clinical result. Mean total Foot and Ankle Outcome Score (FAOS) was 89.8 (range, 71.1~100) in the nonabsorbable suture group and 82.7 (range, 61.9~92.5) in the absorbable suture group (p = 0.22). All patients returned to their previous life activity. The absorbable suture group had fewer postoperative complications (10%) than the nonabsorbable suture group (20%), but there was no significant difference between two groups (p = 0.45). This pilot study showed that use of an absorbable suture for Achilles tendon repair had functional and clinical results comparable to those of the nonabsorbable suture. However, a use of an absorbable suture was associated with a lower incidence of complications than the use of nonabsorbable suture. Therefore, these results have to be confirmed in a randomized controlled cohort trial with larger population.

Comparing Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Suture Materials for Repair of Achilles Tendon Rupture: A Magnetic Resonance Imaging-Based Study

“…In spite of such differences in scar tissue formation between distinct suture materials, no significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score or postoperative complications. Similarly, previous studies have shown that absorbable and nonabsorbable suture materials have similar postoperative functional outcomes, although more postoperative complications have been observed with nonabsorbable sutures [ 5 , 10 , 11 ]. Nevertheless, it should not be overlooked that the tendons appearing in MRI in this study were still in the process of healing, as all of them were taken approximately 6 months postoperatively.…”

“…Considering these issues, it is known that absorbable suture material not only has sufficient holding capacity and strength, but also results in similar postoperative functional outcomes to nonabsorbable suture material [ 8 , 9 ]. Moreover, fewer postoperative complications are observed with absorbable sutures [ 10 , 11 ]. However, to our knowledge, little is known about whether the morphology of the repaired Achilles tendon varies according to suture material because it is not apparent on routinely obtained plain radiographs.…”

“Repair and Flap technique”: A Retrospective Analysis of Single Stage Reconstruction Method for Treatment of Chronic Open Achilles Tendon Defect with Proximal Turndown Flap and Reverse Sural Flap

“…The limitations of current study were this was a retrospective study and had heterogeneity of the study population. The use of nylon 2-0 in current study is not a common suture material for repair of Achilles tendon and needs more studies to justify it [23].…”

Comparison of the mechanical properties and anchoring performance of polyvinylidene fluoride and polypropylene barbed sutures for tendon repair

“…Suture sizes 2-0 and 3-0 are commonly used for human flexor tendon repairs, and these sizes of barbed sutures were used in previous cadaver and animal in vivo repair studies. 11,18,19,[23][24][25] Manufacturers report that the mechanical properties of barbed sutures are similar to those of non-barbed sutures of one size smaller. 26 Therefore, size 2-0 (non-barbed and barbed) and 3-0 (barbed) sutures were examined in this study.…”