Acta Orthopaedica et Traumatologica Turcica
Research Article

The split transfer of tibialis anterior tendon to peroneus tertius tendon for equinovarus foot in children with cerebral palsy

1.

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, Ortopediatri Academy of Pediatric Otrhopaedics, İstanbul, Turkey

2.

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul Medicine Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey

3.

Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, İstanbul University Cerrahpaşa, Cerrahpaşa School of Medicine, İstanbul, Turkey

AOTT 2020; 54: 262-268
DOI: 10.5152/j.aott.2020.03.571
Read: 1896 Downloads: 694 Published: 04 June 2020

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the results of the split anterior tibialis tendon transfer (SPLATT) to peroneus tertius (PT) for equinovarus foot deformity in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: The medical records of 25 ambulatory CP patients (mean age: 8.7±3.2 years, range: 4-16 years) with equinovarus foot (33 feet), who underwent SPLATT to PT surgery between 2014 and 2016, were retrospectively reviewed. A senior surgeon performed all the surgical procedures. SPLATT was performed as part of a single-event multilevel surgery for the lower limb, and the concomitant procedures on the same extremity were recorded. The patients who required any additional foot or ankle surgery that could affect the clinical outcome (except heel cord lengthening) were excluded from the study. The Kling’s College Criteria were used to evaluate the procedural outcome of the foot position and gait, and the associated complications were recorded.

Results: The mean follow-up time was 28.8±5 months (range: 24-42 months). The postoperative Kling scores were excellent for 27 feet of the patients who had a plantigrade foot, without fixed or postural deformity, in a regular shoe, having no calluses; good for 5 cases for those who walked with less than 5° varus, valgus, or equinus posture of the hind foot, wearing regular shoes, having no callosities; and fair for 1 case for those who had recurrence of the deformity. There was only one wound detachment, which was treated with wound care and dressing. None of the patients had overcorrection, infection, or bone fracture.

Conclusion: The dynamic SPLATT to PT surgery for the management of the equinovarus foot deformities in the CP patients is a safe and less complicated surgical alternative with a good functional outcome. It is a safe and effective treatment method for the management of equinovarus foot deformities in CP.

Level of Evidence: Level IV, Therapeutic study

Cite this article as: Sarıkaya İA, Ertan Birsel S, Şeker A, Erdal OA, Görgün B, İnan M. The split transfer of tibialis anterior tendon to peroneus tertius tendon for equinovarus foot in children with cerebral palsy. Acta Orthop Traumatol Turc 2020; 54(3): 262-8. DOI: 10.5152/j.aott.2020.03.571.

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ISSN 1017-995X EISSN 2589-1294