Otoplasty Using Dermoperichondrial Flap as an Adjunct to Mustarde Suture Technique

Prominent ears are congenital deformities that are challenging to correct due to the risk of postoperative recurrence. While they have been traditionally reconstructed with cartilage excision or scoring and with cartilaginous sutures, flap techniques have been developed over the last 2 decades to improve the structural integrity of these repairs. The addition of a local flap helps to sustain long standing operative correction while maintaining optimal cosmetic outcomes that have been reported, particularly after cartilage sparing techniques. The authors describe a lateral dermoperichondrial flap on the posterior ear as an adjunct to the use of Mustarde sutures and contextualize its use in the landscape of existing otoplasty techniques.

Anterior talofibular ligament lesion is associated with increased flat foot deformity but does not affect correction by lateral calcaneal lengthening

Background Several risk factors for adult acquired flatfoot deformity (AAFD) have been identified in literature. To this date, little attention has been paid to the lateral ligament complex and its influence on AAFD, although its anatomic course and anatomic studies suggest a restriction to flatfoot deformity. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of the anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) on AAFD and on radiologic outcome following common operative correction by lateral calcaneal lengthening. Methods We reviewed all patients that underwent lateral calcaneal lengthening for correction of AAFD between January 2008 and July 2018 at our clinic. Patients were grouped according to the preoperative MRI findings into those with an intact ATFL and those with an injured ATFL. Two independent readers assessed common radiographic flatfoot parameters on preoperative and postoperative radiographs. Results Sixty-four flatfoot corrections in 63 patients were included, whereby the ATFL was intact in 29 cases, and in 35 cases the ligament was injured. An ATFL lesion was overall radiologically associated with increased flatfoot deformity with a statistically significant difference between the two groups for preoperative talometatarsal-angle (p = 0.002), talocalcaneal-angle (p = 0.000) and talonavicular uncoverage-angle (p = 0.005). No difference between the two groups could be observed regarding the success of operative correction or operative consistency after lateral calcaneal lengthening. Conclusion The ATFL seems to influence the extent of AAFD. In patients undergoing lateral calcaneal lengthening, the integrity of the ligament seems not to influence the degree of correction or the consistency of the postoperative result.

PREOPERATIVE ANALYSIS OF RADIOGRAPHIC FINDINGS IN 516 PATIENTS WITH HALLUX VALGUS DEFORMITY

ABSTRACT Objective: This is a descriptive study to report our method of operative correction for patients with hallux valgus deformities. Methods: From 2006 to 2012, 516 consecutive patients (601 feet) with hallux valgus deformities were treated surgically in our department after conservative treatments were exhausted. The hallux valgus angle, intermetatarsal angle, distal metatarsal articular angle, and degree of osteoarthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint were measured on preoperative plain radiographs of the weight-bearing forefoot. Results: Young patients with severe intermetatarsal deviation received a combined proximal and distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal (n = 21). Patients with low intermetatarsal deviation received a distal metatarsal chevron osteotomy (n = 196), whereas patients with severe intermetatarsal deviation and less flexible deformities without osteoarthritis received a basal metatarsal osteotomy with a distal soft tissue procedure (n = 173). Elderly active patients with osteoarthritis in the first metatarsophalangeal joint received an arthrodesis (n = 100) or resection arthroplasty (n = 58). Conclusion: Determining a few simple angles on plain radiographs of the weight-bearing forefoot in combination with the age and level of activity of patients can help simplify the operative correction method by using the schema we developed. Level of evidence IV, case series.

Deformity and Clinical Outcomes Following Operative Correction of Charcot Ankle

Background: Deformity associated with Charcot foot arthropathy leads to a poor quality of life in affected individuals. Deformity in the midfoot appears to be predictive of clinical outcomes following operative correction. The goal of this retrospective study was to determine if that same methodology could be applied to patients treated for Charcot foot arthropathy involving the ankle joint. Methods: Fifty-six consecutive patients underwent operative reconstruction of Charcot foot deformity involving the ankle joint by a single surgeon over a 14-year period. Preoperative patient characteristics and tibiotalar alignment, were recorded. Surgical treatment included single-stage debridement of active infection and ankle arthrodesis with application of a circular external fixator when infection was present (39 of 56, 69.6%) or retrograde locked intramedullary nailing in the absence of infection (17 of 56, 30.3%). Clinical outcomes were graded based on limb salvage, resolution of infection and chronic wounds, and the ability to ambulate with therapeutic footwear or accommodative orthoses. The average follow-up was 7.5 (range 1.1-14.0) years. Results: One patient died at 134.3 weeks following surgery of unrelated causes and 8 underwent amputation. Twenty-eight of 56 patients (50.0%) achieved a favorable (excellent or good) clinical outcome. There was no significant association between pre- or postoperative alignment and clinical outcomes. Insulin-dependent diabetics were approximately 3 times more likely to have a poor clinical outcome. Conclusions: Operative correction of Charcot deformity involving the ankle joint was associated with a high complication rate and risk for failure. The lessons learned from this highly comorbid patient population with complex deformities can be used as a benchmark for applying modern surgical techniques. Level of Evidence: Level IV, case series.