ArticleJournal of orthopaedic surgery and research2025
Absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures in Achilles tendon rupture repair: a retrospective cohort study evaluating medium- to long-term outcomes via musculoskeletal ultrasound and functional metrics.
Article in Journal of orthopaedic surgery and research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed.
- Shear wave elastography-based predictive model for early functional recovery following extensor tendon repair of the hand.BMC medical imaging · 2026Article
- Resorbable Suture Is a Suitable Surgical Repair Material in a Rat Achilles Rupture and Repair Model.JB & JS open accessArticle
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
6 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveSuture material selection probably impacts outcomes after surgical repair of acute Achilles tendon rupture. Absorbable and non-absorbable sutures possess distinct mechanical and biocompatibility properties. This study compared medium-to-long-term functional recovery and ultrasonographic healing characteristics between patients receiving absorbable versus non-absorbable sutures.
methodsThis retrospective cohort study screened 210 patients undergoing primary acute Achilles tendon repair (2013-2024). Propensity score matching generated comparable cohorts of 50 patients each: the absorbable group received Interfascicular Repair, and the non-absorbable group received modified Kessler Repair. Identical postoperative rehabilitation protocols were followed. Primary outcomes assessed at 6 and 12 months included: ultrasonographic parameters (Achilles tendon thickness ATT, mm), margin echotexture (ME) at the repair site, blood flow signals (BFS) at the repair site, active gliding function (AGF), passive gliding function (PGF) and functional assessment (VISA-A score).
resultsAt 6 months, statistically significant differences were observed between the absorbable and non-absorbable suture groups across ATT; AGF; BFS. The absorbable suture group exhibited significantly lower ATT compared to the non-absorbable group (7.07 ± 0.41 mm vs. 7.81 ± 0.52 mm; p < 0.001). The absorbable suture group demonstrated greater AGF (1.86 ± 0.35 vs. 1.06 ± 0.31; p < 0.001). VISA-A score were also significantly higher in the absorbable suture group (81.82 ± 7.48 vs. 74.44 ± 6.71; p < 0.001). The BFS was significantly reduced in the non-absorbable suture group (1.28 ± 0.88 vs. 2.32 ± 0.82; p < 0.001). At the twelve-month follow-up, no significant intergroup differences were detected in ATT (p = 0.126), AGF (p = 0.650), VISA-A score (p = 0.063), and BFS (p = 0.569). At 6 months, ATT correlated inversely with AGF (r = - 0.487, p < 0.001) and VISA-A score (r = - 0.311, p = 0.002). Complication (absorbable: 1 re-rupture; non-absorbable: 2 inflammatory reactions).
conclusionAlthough functional and structural outcomes converge by 12 months, absorbable sutures confer early advantages in tendon morphology and gliding function during the initial healing phase. Suture material selection should be individualized, considering patient-specific factors such as anticipated rehabilitation adherence and activity demands.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.