Proximity of the Lateral Calcaneal Artery With a Modified Extensile Lateral Approach Compared to Standard Extensile Approach

2016 ◽  
Vol 38 (3) ◽  
pp. 318-323 ◽  
Author(s):  
John Y. Kwon ◽  
Tyler Gonzalez ◽  
Matthew D. Riedel ◽  
Ara Nazarian ◽  
Mohammad Ghorbanhoseini

Background: The extensile lateral approach (EL) has been associated with increased wound complications such as apical necrosis which may be due partially from violation of the lateral calcaneal artery (LCA). Traditionally, the vertical limb has been placed half-way between the fibula and Achilles tendon, which may be suboptimal given the proximity to the LCA. We hypothesized that placing the vertical limb further posterior (ie, modified EL [MEL]) would increase the distance from the LCA. The purposes of this study were to quantify the location of the LCA in relation to the vertical limb of the traditional EL approach and to determine if utilizing the MEL approach endangered the LCA to a lesser extent. Methods: 20 cadavers were used. For the EL approach, the fibula and Achilles tendon were palpated and a line parallel to the plantar foot was drawn between the two. A vertical line (VL), representing the vertical limb of the approach, was drawn at the midway point as a perpendicular extending proximally from the junction of the glabrous/non-glabrous skin (JGNG). For the MEL approach, the anterior border of the Achilles tendon was palpated and a similar vertical line (MVL) was drawn 0.75 cm anterior. Dissection was performed and if the LCA was identified crossing the line VL/MVL, the distance from the JGNG was documented. Results: For the EL approach, the LCA was identified in 17/20 (85%) cadavers at an average distance of 5.0 cm (range 3-7 cm, SD = 1.3 cm) from JGNG. For the ML approach, the LCA was identified in 4/20 (20%) cadavers at an average distance of 5.9 cm (range 3-6.5 cm, SD = 1.7 cm) from the JGNG ( P < .001). Conclusions: The LCA was encountered 4 times more often during the EL approach as compared to the MEL approach. Clinical Relevance: A modification of the EL approach may decrease iatrogenic injury to the LCA and may decrease wound complications.

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011417S0000
Author(s):  
John Kwon ◽  
Mohammad Ghorbanhoseini ◽  
Tyler Gonzalez ◽  
Matthew Riedel ◽  
Ara Nazarian

Category: Ankle, Basic Sciences/Biologics, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The extensile lateral approach (EL) has been associated with increased wound complications such as apical necrosis which may be due partially from violation of the lateral calcaneal artery (LCA). Traditionally, the vertical limb has been placed half-way between the fibula and Achilles tendon, which may be suboptimal given the proximity to the LCA. We hypothesized that placing the vertical limb further posterior (ie, modified EL [MEL]) would increase the distance from the LCA. The purposes of this study were to quantify the location of the LCA in relation to the vertical limb of the traditional EL approach and to determine if utilizing the MEL approach endangered the LCA to a lesser extent. Methods: 20 cadavers were used. For the EL approach, the fibula and Achilles tendon were palpated and a line parallel to the plantar foot was drawn between the two. A vertical line (VL), representing the vertical limb of the approach, was drawn at the midway point as a perpendicular extending proximally from the junction of the glabrous/non-glabrous skin (JGNG). For the MEL approach, the anterior border of the Achilles tendon was palpated and a similar vertical line (MVL) was drawn 0.75 cm anterior. Dissection was performed and if the LCA was identified crossing the line VL/MVL, the distance from the JGNG was documented. Results: For the EL approach, the LCA was identified in 17/20 (85%) cadavers at an average distance of 5.0 cm (range 3-7 cm, SD = 1.3 cm) from JGNG. For the ML approach, the LCA was identified in 4/20 (20%) cadavers at an average distance of 5.9 cm (range 3-6.5 cm, SD = 1.7 cm) from the JGNG (P < .001). Conclusion: The LCA was encountered 4 times more often during the EL approach as compared to the MEL approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0015
Author(s):  
James P. Davies ◽  
W. Bret Smith ◽  
Steven Steinlauf ◽  
Mary Millikin

Category: Ankle, Diabetes, Hindfoot, Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Intra-articular calcaneal fractures offer unique challenges. Wound problems and infection are significant complications in the surgical treatment of calcaneal fractures which in turn can be debilitating to patients and outcomes. The literature suggests varying wound complication rates but 21% up to 33% using the traditional extensile lateral approach in some studies. The extensile lateral approach has historically been accepted as the gold standard for fixation and treatment of these fractures. Recently there has been resurgent interest in alternative approaches to the fixation of intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Of interest is the potential of the sinus tarsi approach to decrease wound complications while having comparable reduction quality to the higher wound risk extensile lateral approach. Methods: A multi-center retrospective chart review study was implemented. The study objective was to review wound complication of the sinus tarsi approach compared with outcomes from the traditional extensile approach for fixation of displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures. Specifically; examining a population of patients considered at high risk for wound issues, comparing radiographic and clinical outcomes. Results: In the high-risk group, only one primary complications resulted, including one patient with a history of an open fracture. All fractures healed with adequate maintenance of alignment. Chi- squared analysis resulted in a statistically significant difference in complication rates between sinus tarsi and the traditional extensile lateral approach at the 95% confidence level. Conclusion: In both high-risk and lower-risk cohorts of patients, a low rate of infection and wound problems was encountered. A limited approach through a sinus tarsi incision provides a viable option to treat displaced intra-articular calcaneus fracture patients with risk factors for wound issues. The patients all healed both their soft tissue wounds and fractures. Functional return was consistent with other study populations. Our study adds another cohort of patient data demonstrating the advantage of the sinus tarsi approach when compared to the extensile lateral in terms of decreased wound complications while maintaining quality of reductions and clinical outcomes.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0028
Author(s):  
Methee Khongphaophong

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The options of operative treatment for intra-articular calcaneal fracture still remains controversial. Extensile lateral approach allow excellent exposure to fracture, but bring high rate of wound complications. The aim of this study was to compare the outcome of intra-articular calcaneal fracture treated with open reduction and internal fixation via an extensile lateral versus. Sinus tarsi approach Methods: Prospective study of 62 intra-articular calcaneal fractures treated by open reduction and internal fixation between 2014, October to 2017, June. 29 were treated with extensile lateral approach with calcaneal locking plate(Wright medical, Tennessee), 33 sinus tarsi approach(4 cases need additional mini medial incision approaches for SanderIII AC, BC) with mini-calcaneal locking plate(Normed, Florida). Durations until operation, operative time, foot functional index(total score), visual analog scale, SF-36, Bohler’s angle, angle of Gissane, wound complications and duration of hospital stay were recorded post-operatively and minimal 6 months follow up. Results: Compared 2 groups with demographic datas.Average duration until operation; extensile group was 13.32 days, sinus tarsi group was 6.08 days, p <0.001. Operative time; extensile group was 123.41minutes vs. sinus tarsi group was 91.20 minutes, p <0.001. Wound complications was 24.13% in extensile group vs. 6.06% in sinus tarsi group, p =0.045, Duration of post-operative admission was 6.68 days in extensile group vs. 3.10 days in sinus tarsi group p <0.001 FFI last visits was 25.36 in extensile group vs. 25.65 in sinus tarsi group, p =0.969, VAS activity was 29.68 in extensile group vs. 28.54 in sinus tarsi group, p=0.271. Conclusion: Sinus tarsi approach with mini-calcaneal locking plate was a great option for treatment of intra-articular calcaneal fracture. This approach brought lower rate of wound complications, earlier operations, shorter operation times and shorter hospital stay compared to extensile lateral approach.


2020 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 230949902091528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tao Yu ◽  
Yuan Xiong ◽  
Alex Kang ◽  
Haichao Zhou ◽  
Wenbao He ◽  
...  

Purpose: Accumulated literature has reported the comparative efficacy of the sinus tarsi approach (STA) and the extensile lateral approach (ELA) for the treatment of calcaneal fractures (CFs). However, the best alternative treatment for CF is still inconsistent. Herein, the present systematic review of overlapping meta-analyses aims to achieve an evident conclusion by performing a comprehensive reanalysis of previous meta-analyses regarding the comparison of the STA and the ELA. Methods: We searched several databases, including Pubmed, Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, SpringerLink, Clinical Trials.gov , OVID, and CNKI for the meta-analyses comparing the STA and the ELA for the treatment of CF. All related meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials and cohort studies were included. Two researchers independently assessed the quality of the articles and extracted the data. The Jadad decision algorithm was used to evaluate the evidence of the articles. Results: Ultimately, five meta-analyses were included in the present study. The Assessment of Multiple Systematic Reviews scores of these articles ranged from 5 to 9 with a median of 7. The analysis of best quality, Bai 2018, was selected based on the Jadad algorithm. In this article, the significant differences were found in wound complications and operating time, recovery of Böhler’s angle, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society scores, and the visual analog scale. Conclusion: The clinical relevance of the present study is that both the STA and the ELA are effective in alleviating pain and improving functionality in the treatment of CF. However, due to a shorter operation duration and lower complication rates, the STA was indicated to be a superior alternative for CF treatment.


1996 ◽  
Vol 17 (2) ◽  
pp. 61-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara D. Buch ◽  
Mark S. Myerson ◽  
Stuart D. Miller

We retrospectively evaluated the results of primary subtalar arthrodesis for the treatment of severely comminuted calcaneal fractures. Of 108 patients with 112 calcaneal fractures treated at our institution between 1989 and 1992, 16 (15%) underwent primary subtalar arthrodesis through an extensile lateral approach. The calcaneal height and width were restored with standard fixation techniques and then arthrodesis was performed with bone graft and fixation by 7.0-mm cannulated cancellous screws. Fourteen patients (12 males and 2 females; mean age, 40 years) were available for examination at a mean time of 26 months (range, 12–54 months) after surgery. Arthrodesis, evidenced by radiographic bony bridging across the arthrodesis site, was present in all patients between 8 and 12 weeks. Minor wound complications occurred in three patients. Of the 12 patients employed before the injury, 11 returned to their original occupations at a mean time of 8.8 months after injury (range, 1 month to 3 years). The mean AOFAS 100-point clinical rating scale score, evaluating pain, function, and alignment, was 72.4 points (range, 48–88 points). We conclude that primary subtalar arthrodesis is indicated as part of the management of comminuted displaced articular calcaneal fractures, yielding results that allowed 11 of 12 formerly employed patients to return to work.


2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011419S0020
Author(s):  
Karl J Henrikson ◽  
Umur Aydogan

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: The lateral calcaneal artery provides critical arterial supply for healing of the extensile lateral approach to the calcaneus. A recent study has shown that preoperative doppler ultrasound showing non-patency of the lateral calcaneal artery is strongly correlated with wound complications when using this approach. Plate and screw fixation of calcaneus fractures through the sinus tarsi approach has gained popularity, including techniques involving percutaneous screw placement into a plate. Avoidance of lateral calcaneal artery injury may be improved with further quantification of its anatomy and associated variation. Finally, while the lateral approach to the calcaneus for osteotomy is routinely performed with minimal wound complications, the relationship of the lateral calcaneal artery to this approach was studied as well. Methods: This is a cadaveric anatomic study performed using six fresh frozen cadaver specimens. The specimens were treated with intra-arterial injection of latex and dye. The specimens were first utilized in a separate study in which an orthopedic resident, blinded to the present study, performed a standard, oblique osteotomy of the calcaneal body. The cadavers were then examined for the relationship of the lateral calcaneal artery to the previous dissections. Finally, an extended sinus tarsi approach was made, and the relationship of the lateral calcaneal artery was quantified relative to the posterior facet and the posterior most point of the tuberosity, and relative to screw holes in a percutaneous calcaneal plate. Results: Lateral calcaneal artery injury was observed in six out of six cadavers in which calcaneal osteotomy had been performed. The lateral calcaneal artery was encountered when performing the extended sinus tarsi approach at a mean ratio of 0.4 (standard deviation 0.11) of the distance from the posterior facet to the posterior aspect of the tuberosity. It crossed the posterior-most hole in the posterior facet portion of the plate in two cadavers. It also passed within 2 mm of the posterior most hole in the tuberosity portion of the plate in one cadaver. Conclusion: Careful dissection is warranted when extending the sinus tarsi approach beyond the posterior facet to preserve the lateral calcaneal artery. Injury is also possible with percutaneous tuberosity screw placement into a plate, and the consequences for sinus tarsi approach healing are unknown. Lateral calcaneal artery injury is difficult to avoid with the traditional lateral approach for calcaneal osteotomy, and while it has no implications for that approach which heals reliably, it indicates that preoperative doppler would be warranted if extensile lateral approach were considered in a patient who has previously undergone calcaneal osteotomy.


2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (4) ◽  
pp. 2473011420S0030
Author(s):  
Robert Kulwin ◽  
Sapan Shah ◽  
Steven L. Haddad ◽  
Brian M. Weatherford

Category: Trauma Introduction/Purpose: Displaced intraarticular calcaneus fractures comprise the majority of all calcaneus fractures. Many are indicated for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) through an extensile lateral approach (ELA). Unfortunately, this approach has reported complication rates of up to 32%. Improved edema management may reduce the incidence of complications. While compression wrapping has been shown to reduce wound complications in ankle arthroplasty, it has not been well studied in lower extremity trauma. This study aimed to evaluate the benefit of compression wrapping in calcaneus fractures treated surgically with an ELA. Methods: This study included 19 patients from 2015-2018 who underwent ORIF of closed intra-articular calcaneal fractures via an ELA by two surgeons. Demographics, comorbidities, fracture characteristics, and time to surgery were recorded. Following surgery, the extremity was initially immobilized in a short leg splint with transition to serial compression wrappings on postoperative day two. Wrappings involved application of multi-layered cotton cast padding and short stretch elastic bandages to the extremity in a distal to proximal fashion. Wraps were replaced every three days by trained physiotherapists until the two- week postoperative visit. The primary outcome was development of a wound complication. A minor complication was defined as wound appearance prompting initiation of oral or IV antibiotics or local wound care. A major complication was defined as development of flap necrosis or return to the OR for debridement. Results: Mean age was 47.7 years. 3 patients (15.7%) were diabetic, and 7 patients (36.8%) were smokers. Mean BMI was 26.9 kg/m2 (SD 4.4). Mean time to surgery was 11.4 days from injury (SD 6.93). The rate of minor soft tissue complication was 4/19 (26.3%); 2 patients required oral antibiotics only, 1 local wound care only, and 1 both antibiotics and local wound care. The rate of major complication was 2/19 (10.5%), with 1 patient requiring a return to OR and another requiring both a return to the OR and IV antibiotics. Of those patients, 1 was noncompliant with the protocol. All patients progressed to eventual soft tissue healing. Statistical analysis identified diabetes as a risk factor for any complication (p=0.02, relative risk 5.3). Conclusion: Compression wrapping resulted in a low incidence of major soft tissue complications in calcaneus fractures treated with an extensile lateral approach. Compression wrapping is an effective method of post-operative soft tissue management for calcaneal fractures, and may have further applications for similar high energy foot and ankle fractures. Further studies are warranted to determine whether this novel wound care technique is superior to standard post-operative wound care.


2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (3) ◽  
pp. 2473011418S0016
Author(s):  
Daniel Bohl ◽  
Eric Barnard ◽  
Kamran Movassaghi ◽  
Kamran Hamid ◽  
Adam Schiff

Category: Sports Introduction/Purpose: The rate of wound complications following traditional open Achilles tendon repair is reported at 7-8%. In an effort to reduce the rate of wound complications, orthopaedic surgeons have adopted novel minimally invasive techniques. The purpose of this study is to characterize the rate of wound and other early complications following a minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair, to identify any factors associated with increased risk. Methods: The postoperative courses of 55 patients who underwent minimally invasive Achilles tendon repair by two surgeons at separate academic medical centers were retrospectively reviewed. Repair technique was similar in all cases, making use of the same commercially available suture-guidance jig, silicone-impregnated deep suture material, and locking stitch technique. However, 31 procedures used a longitudinal incision and a tourniquet (one surgeon’s preference), while 24 procedures used a transverse incision and no tourniquet (the second surgeon’s preference). Of the 24 procedures using transverse incisions, 2 had to be converted to L-shaped incisions to achieve better access to the tendon. The rates of early complications within 3 months after surgery were characterized and compared between patients with differing procedural characteristics. Results: Of the 55 patients included in the study, 2 (3.6%) developed wound complications. Both wound complications appeared to be reactions to the deep suture material (see Table 1 for details). There was no statistical difference in the rate of wound complications between patients in the longitudinal incision/tourniquet group and patients in the transverse incision/no tourniquet group (6.5% versus 0.0%; p=0.499). Three patients (5.5%) developed sural neuropraxia, which manifested as mild-to-moderate subjective numbness with sensation remaining intact to light touch. There were no cases of re-rupture. At 3-month follow-up, all 55 patients had intact Thompson tests and well-healed wounds. Conclusion: The rate of wound complications following minimally invasive Achilles repair is low at 3.6%. The present study could not demonstrate a difference in risk for wound complications between patients treated with a longitudinal incision and tourniquet and patients treated with a transverse incision and no tourniquet. The wound complications we observed were primarily attributable to inflammatory reactions to the silicone-impregnated deep suture material. Patients should be counseled that although risk for wound complications may be lower with minimally invasive techniques, such techniques do risk sural neuropraxia and deep suture reaction. Further prospective analysis is warranted.


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