Introduction and purpose: Achilles tendon tears with a surgical indication can be approached by means of either a standard open surgery or an alternative technique, namely a percutaneous suture of the tendon rupture. This study compares the functional results and complications of both techniques in order to assess the differences between them. The purpose of the paper is to determine whether percutaneous sutures are a valid option for the treatment of these kinds of lesions.

Materials and methods: A prospective randomized study was carried out of two groups of patients. One included 26 patients where the Achilles tendon tear was repaired by means of a percutaneous suture; the other was a control group where the classical open surgery technique was used. The mean patient age was 41 years. 92% were male. 54% of lesions were on the left side. A comparison was made of functional results and of the complications which appeared in both groups.

Results: Both groups were homogeneous regarding age, laterality and relevant antecedents. Functional results and the complications’ rate were similar in both groups.

Conclusions: Although the percutaneous suture is not a widespread technique, the study shows it as a valid alternative for the treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures since it leads to a level of function similar to that of open surgery.