The role of bilateral talectomy in the management of bilateral rigid clubfeet.

Severe clubfoot is a common sequela of arthrogryposis multiplex congenita and myelomeningocele. Talectomy is a practical surgical procedure to assist in the correction of severe, rigid equinovarus foot deformity. However, the results of talectomy may be less predictable in rigid bilateral equinovarus foot deformity than in the treatment of unilateral clubfoot. To determine the outcome of talectomy in the treatment of bilateral rigid clubfoot, we reviewed the cases of all patients at our center who underwent bilateral talectomy. Seven children were treated for bilateral talipes equinovarus with talectomy. The patient group consisted of 3 children with arthrogryposis, 3 with myelomeningocele, and 1 with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. The age at surgery averaged 6 years and ranged from 1 year and 10 months to 15 years and 7 months. The length of follow-up averaged 5 years and 6 months and ranged from 3 years to 12 years and 6 months. Three feet had a good and 7 feet a satisfactory correction of the deformity. Four feet had poor results. Bilateral talectomy was found overall to be a successful and predictable procedure, with low morbidity for the attainment of functional feet.