Boyd and Syme ankle amputations in children.

The Syme and Boyd amputations at the ankle were compared in thirty-four children followed for three to sixteen years. Good results were found with both techniques. The best results occurred when the heel pad was aligned in the plantigrade position, which produced almost normal function of the heel pad. The Boyd technique was a surer method of obtaining such alignment but was technically more difficult. Both the Boyd and Syme techniques are recommended for ankle amputation in children, but a distinct advantage of one technique over the other could not be defined.