Short communication, Note

Minimally invasive ultrasound guided surgery for extracting stitches as a cause of secondary infections after tendoraphy of the Achilles tendon rupture

Ivan Kirin ; Department of surgery, Clinical hospital centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Alen Protić ; Department of anesthesiology and intensive treatment, Clinical hospital centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia
Alan Šustić ; Department of anesthesiology and intensive treatment, Clinical hospital centre Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate the use of ultrasound in management of the long term complications after surgical procedure of the ruptured Achiles tendon.
Case report: Authors report two cases of patients who developed tissue inflammation and abscess six and five years after surgery following rupture of the Achilles tendon. Ultrasound examination of the Achilles tendon confirmed abscess and foreign body (stitch) in both patients. A minimally invasive ultrasound guided technique was used for extracting all stitches and drainage of the present abscess in both patients.
Discussion: The clasical surgical approach is an invasive procedure with high possibility of widespreading infection into the healthy tissue. There is also the possibility of not finding all stitches which cause inflammation. These two cases emphasize the use of ultrasound not only for diagnosis but also as a help, during the minimally invasive surgical procedure.
Conclusion: In this case report we point out the potential value of the minimally invasive ultrasound guided surgery for extracting stitches and drainage of the present abscesses in both patients.

Keywords

extracting stitches; minimally invasive surgery; stitch abscess; ultrasound guided surgery; ultrasound of Achilles tendon

Hrčak ID:

38817

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/38817

Publication date:

1.6.2009.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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