"Different" approach in the operative treatment of congenital clubfoot and its results.

OBJECTIVES

This study compared long-term results of the treatment of idiopathic clubfoot at two different University orthopaedic departments.

BACKGROUND

The treatment of clubfoot is still controversial due to different severity and different treatment philosophies.

METHODS

Authors retrospectively analyzed a group of 273 feet (145 patients) operated on at the Unit of Pediatric orthopaedics, Children University Hospital, Bratislava (group A) and the cohort of 60 feet (33 patients) operated on at the Ist University Department of Orthopaedics, Bratislava (group B), between 1993 and 2002 with follow up period from 2 to 11 years (average 72 months). In the group A, McKay procedure was indicated in 3 feet, Carroll operation in 35 feet and 160 feet were operated by Brockmanns posteromedial release and its modifications (cuboid and metatarsal osteotomies). In the group B, McKay procedure was done in 8 feet and 50 feet were operated on by Turco/ Zacepin procedure.

RESULTS

Recurrences in both groups due to the insufficient first step operative reduction and mistakes in after treatment were 12%. Satisfactory results (excellent and good) were achieved in 88% of cases in both groups.

CONCLUSION

This study shows, that the results of operative treatment of congenital clubfoot from two different departments (using different operative techniques but "a la carte philosophy") were comparable in most of the cases (Tab. 4, Fig. 3, Ref: 9).