title: Endosopic achilles tendon augmentation with a graft loop anatomic and radiologic study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Mini-invasive techniques are commonly used for repair of tendon Achilles (TA) rupture. However, the use of these techniques is limited when graft augmentation is needed.
  
  
  METHODS
  A radiological study was conducted on 18 normal ankles using multi-slice CT scan with soft tissue reconstruction to determine the endoscopic landmarks for Achilles tendon insertion. The surgical procedure was performed on six whole lower limb formaldehyde preserved specimens. Endoscopic-assisted TA augmentation with a graft loop was done for all specimens. Postoperative assessment of the tunnel was done using multi-slice CT scan.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Anatomic dissection showed that the sural nerve and neurovascular bundle were intact in all specimens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  With the technique described a graft loop can be delivered endoscopically for Achilles tendon augmentation. The technique was found to be safe for the sural nerve and medial neurovascular structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Ain Shams University, Cairo, Egypt. Ossama_elshazly@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Ossama
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: El Shazly
authors.forename: Maged M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Abou Elsoud
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Desouky
mesh_terms: D000125:Achilles Tendon / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D002102:Cadaver; D004724:Endoscopy; D006801:Humans; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures / Q000379:methods; D011859:Radiography