title: [Microsurgery treatment of old Achilles tendon rupture merging with skin defect].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore the methods of treatment for old achilles tendon rupture merging with skin defect.
  
  
  METHODS
  By following up retrospectively 10 patients from February 1995 to December 2001, we analyzed the operative methods, the points for attention and the results. Gastrocnemius musculocutaneous flaps were used in 3 cases, foot lateral skin flaps in 4 cases, superior medial malleolus skin flaps in 2 cases, and sural neural skin flap in 1 case. The Achilles tendon was sutured directly in 8 patients, with Lindholm's technique in 2 patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All flaps survived and the wound healed well in 8 cases and reruptured in 2 cases. According to Yin Qing-shui's criteria to test the efficacy, the results were excellent in 5 patients, good in 4 and poor in 1.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Repairing the old Achilles tendon rupture merging with skin defect by use of microsurgery has good results and plays an important role in reducing joint contracture and stiffness, and in saving the ability to push forward and flex.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Fuzhou General Hospital, Fuzhou, Fujian, P. R. China, 350025.
authors.forename: Song-qing
authors.initials: SQ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xu
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D062109:Dermatologic Surgical Procedures; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008866:Microsurgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000601:surgery*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D013524:Surgical Flaps; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery; D014946:Wound Infection / Q000601:surgery