Wound complications from idiopathic clubfoot surgery: a comparison of the modified Turco and the Cincinnati treatment methods

Obesity Increases Risk for Wound Complications After Pediatric Foot Surgery: A Retrospective Cohort Review Using the NSQIP-Pediatric Database

BACKGROUND

As the incidence of childhood obesity continues to rise, so too does the number of obese children who undergo foot surgery. As the childhood obesity epidemic rolls on, pediatric orthopaedic surgeons will encounter obese patients with even greater frequency. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the risks associated with obesity is valuable to maximize patient safety. The purpose of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the relationship between obesity and postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing pediatric foot surgery across multiple institutions using a large national database.

METHODS

Pediatric patients who had undergone foot surgery were retrospectively identified using the American College of Surgeons 2012-2017 Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement (ACS-NSQIP-Pediatric) database by cross-referencing reconstructive foot-specific CPT codes with ICD-9/ICD-10 diagnosis codes. Center for Disease Control BMI-to-age growth charts were used to stratify patients into normal-weight and obese cohorts. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to describe and assess outcomes in obese compared with normal-weight patients.

RESULTS

Of the 3924 patients identified, 1063 (27.1%) were obese. Compared with normal-weight patients, obese patients were more often male (64.7% vs. 58.7%; P =0.001) and taller (56.3 vs. 51.3 inches; P <0.001). Obese patients had significantly higher rates of overall postoperative complications (3.01% vs. 1.32%; P =0.001) and wound dehiscence (1.41% vs. 0.59%; P =0.039). Multivariate analysis found that obesity was an independent predictor of both wound dehiscence [adjusted odds ratio (OR)=2.16; 95% CI=1.05-4.50; P =0.037] and surgical site infection (adjusted OR=3.03; 95% CI=1.39-6.61; P =0.005). Subgroup analysis of patients undergoing clubfoot capsular release procedures identified that obese patients had a higher rate of wound dehiscence (3.39% vs. 0.51%; P =0.039) compared with normal-weight patients. In multivariate analysis, obesity was an independent predictor of dehiscence (adjusted OR=5.71; 95% CI=1.46-22.31; P =0.012) in this procedure group. There were no differences in complication rates between obese and normal-weight patients in a subgroup analysis of tarsal coalition procedures or clubfoot tibialis anterior tendon transfer procedures.

CONCLUSION

Obese children undergoing foot surgery had higher overall complication rates, wound complications, and surgical site infections compared with children of normal weight. As the incidence of childhood obesity continues to rise, this information may be useful in assessing and discussing surgical risks with patients and their families.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

III.

The Treatment of Neglected Clubfoot

The adolescent neglected clubfoot is mostly treated in humanitarian programs by those with a great deal of surgical experience. This deformity needs a major correction, which can compromise the blood circulation and wound healing. A bony correction is preferable over an isolated soft tissue release. The extreme Lambrinudi arthrodesis with a double incision is therefore a preferred tool to correct a neglected clubfoot.

Clinical outcome of posteromedial versus posteromedial-lateral release for clubfoot

Although the Ponseti serial casting method is the gold standard for the management of clubfoot, surgical correction remains the best option for resistant cases. Therefore, we compared posteromedial and posteromedial-lateral surgical approaches for the correction of resistant clubfoot. Between 2007 and 2013, 68 patients with idiopathic nonsyndromic resistant clubfoot, who were admitted to our referral institute, were enrolled in our study. The patients were divided into two groups. The patients in group 1 (33 cases of clubfoot) underwent posteromedial release with a single incision and those in group 2 (35 cases of clubfoot) underwent posteromedial-lateral release by two separate incisions. The severity of deformity was classified according to the Dimeglio classification. After the operations, all patients were followed up and surgical results as well as acute and chronic complications were evaluated. The patients were followed up for a mean of 43 months, and at the last follow-up visit, the Dimeglio scores in groups 1 and 2 were 4.8±3.8 and 3.3±2.6, respectively (P=0.04). Outcomes improved in both groups significantly. Although group 2 had more severe deformity, compared with group 1 at the baseline, the final outcome was better in this group. Heel varus and equinus was corrected more appropriately in group 2. Complications such as navicular dorsal subluxation and valgus overcorrection were less common in group 2. In cases of resistant clubfoot, it appears that a posteromedial-lateral approach with two separate incisions not only provides a better correction but is also associated with a lower complication rate in comparison with the single-incision posteromedial approach.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Level III, therapeutic study.

Classification of relapse pattern in clubfoot treated with Ponseti technique

BACKGROUND

Relapse of clubfoot deformity following correction by Ponseti technique is not uncommon. The relapsed feet progress from flexible to rigid if left untreated and can become as severe as the initial deformity. No definitive classification exists to assess a relapsed clubfoot. Some authors have used the Pirani score to rate the relapse while others have used descriptive terms. The purpose of this study is to analyze the relapse pattern in clubfeet that have undergone treatment with the Ponseti method and propose a simple classification for relapsed clubfeet.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ninety-one children (164 feet) with idiopathic clubfeet who underwent treatment with Ponseti technique presented with relapse of the deformity. There were 68 boys and 23 girls. Mean age at presentation for casting was 10.71 days (range 7-22 days). Seventy three children (146 feet, 80%) had bilateral involvement and 18 (20%) had unilateral clubfeet. The mean Pirani Score was 5.6 and 5.5 in bilateral and unilateral groups respectively. Percutaneous heel cord tenotomy was done in 65 children (130 feet, 89%) in the bilateral group and in 12 children (66%) with unilateral clubfoot.

RESULTS

Five relapse patterns were identified at a mean followup of 4.5 years (range 3-5 years) which forms the basis of this study. These relapse patterns were classified as: Grade IA: decrease in ankle dorsiflexion from15 degrees to neutral, Grade IB: dynamic forefoot adduction or supination, Grade IIA - rigid equinus, Grade IIB - rigid adduction of forefoot/midfoot complex and Grade III: combination of two or more deformities: Fixed equinus, varus and forefoot adduction. In the bilateral group, 21 children (38 feet, 28%) had Grade IA relapse. Twenty four children (46 feet, 34%) had dynamic intoeing (Grade IB) on walking. Thirteen children (22 feet, 16%) had true ankle equinus of varying degress (Grade IIA); eight children (13 feet, 9.7%) had fixed adduction deformity of the forefoot (Grade IIB) and seven children (14 feet, 10.7%) had two or more fixed deformities. In the unilateral group seven cases (38%) had reduced dorsiflexion (Grade IA), six (33%) had dynamic adduction (Grade IB), two (11%) had fixed equinus and adduction respectively (Grade IIA and IIB) and one (5%) child had fixed equinus and adduction deformity (Grade III). The relapses were treated by full time splint application, re-casting, tibialis anterior transfer, posterior release, corrective lateral closing wedge osteotomy and a comprehensive subtalar release. Splint compliance was compromised in both groups.

CONCLUSION

Relapse pattern in clubfeet can be broadly classified into three distinct subsets. Early identification of relapses and early intervention will prevent major soft tissue surgery. A universal language of relapse pattern will allow comparison of results of intervention.