Common calcaneal tenorrhaphy revision using a central gastrocnemius turnover aponeurotic flap technique in a cat

A5-year-old, male castrated, domestic short hair cat was referred to the authors' clinic because of wound dehiscence and exposure of tendon stumps after tenorrhaphy of the Achilles tendon.

Surgical revision was done using an aponeurotic flap taken from the proximal stump of the Achilles tendon and sutured over the two tendon portions. This technique has been described in humans, but, to the authors' knowledge, this has not been reported in cats. Modified type II external fixation was used to maintain the tarsocrural joint in extension until tendon healing was confirmed ultrasonographically 35 days postoperatively.

Clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation 60 and 120 days postoperatively showed normal limb function and good tendon healing. Long-term follow-up examination 8 years postoperatively revealed that the cat was in good health with normal gait and activity level.