Aesthetic Improvement of Undeveloped Calves After Treatment of Congenital Clubfoot Deformity

Congenital Lower Extremity Anomaly Pathology and Reconstruction: A Review of the Literature

SUMMARY

With the advent of the subspecialty of orthoplastic surgery, there has been a greater involvement of plastic surgeons in limb reconstruction, congenital anomalies, and salvage procedures. Understanding embryology helps plastic surgeons better understand how to reconstruct lower extremity congenital defects and how development of the lower limb affects what can be done to reconstruct the adult lower limb. There is significant discussion in the literature regarding embryology and development of craniofacial structures and the upper extremity; however, the development of the lower limb remains largely unexplored. This review aims to elucidate the embryologic development of the lower limb, congenital anomalies that may present to the plastic surgeon, and reconstructive options.

The Impact of Living with Clubfoot on Children and Their Families: Perspectives from Two Cultural Environments

Purpose

To study the physical, emotional and social impact of clubfoot on the lives of affected children and their families.

Methods

A purposive sample of children with treated idiopathic clubfoot and their parents was recruited from two geographical locations-the United Kingdom (UK) and India. Children were divided into age groups of 5-7 and 8-11 years. Questionnaires were administered separately to children and parents; the former comprised multiple-choice questions scored using an 'emoji' system, and the latter included open-ended questions divided into pre-defined themes of daily limitations, social life, general health, emotional barriers and family impact.

Results

Thirty-four children and parents participated from UK; 96 children and parents participated from India. The majority of children (> 80%) reported no problems in daily activities, although 32.8% reported having pain. Difficulty finding appropriate footwear and limitation in sports were more common among UK children, whereas difficulty in squatting was more problematic for Indian children. Self and emotional perceptions regarding their appearance/condition were lower among older as compared to younger children in both countries. Parents' responses mirrored those of children; additionally they reported emotional and financial difficulties during initial treatment phase, and ongoing concerns about the future during the maintenance phase.

Conclusion

Treated clubfoot continues to impact the lives of affected children and families. Perceptions of the condition and its impact vary between population groups; this needs to be appreciated when collecting and analysing outcomes.

Safe Composite Calf Augmentation: A Staged Procedure

BACKGROUND

Calf augmentation can be achieved by fat grafting, calf implants, or a combination of both methods (composite augmentation). For safety reasons, it is important to be aware of important calf anatomic features, specific physiologic considerations, and some health conditions that can hinder the outcome of these procedures.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to present our experience with performing composite calf augmentation, and to describe indications, surgical techniques and safety issues.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 63 patients who had undergone composite calf augmentation for cosmetic and reconstructive surgery in our practice. We reviewed group demographics, complications, and results, and identified all the pitfalls encountered in our cases. Additionally, dissection of the calf regions in fresh cadavers was performed to obtain more accurate anatomy. We also measured intracompartmental pressures before and after calf augmentation with implants in 6 cases to determine pressure changes.

RESULTS

All cases received subfascial implant insertion and fat grafting as a delayed procedure. If there is a need for multiple implants, we recommend a staged procedure. Our study showed high muscle sensitivity to pressure increase after augmentation. Hence, from the standpoint of safety, we advocate subcutaneous fat grafting only. No patients developed compartment syndrome.

CONCLUSIONS

Composite calf augmentation surgery is safe and easy to reproduce, with a short recovery period and a low complication rate when done as a staged procedure and respecting specific anatomic and physiologic calf features.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Correcting of Calf Atrophy With a Custom-Made Silicone Implant: Contribution of Three-Dimensional Computer-Aided Design Reconstruction: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Calf shape is an essential aesthetic parameter of the leg, and calf atrophy can lead to complex problems. The functional consequences of calf atrophy are generally moderate. Prefilled silicone gel implants represent the vast majority of currently placed prostheses, but this technique does not ensure optimal adaptation of the implant shape due to loss of volume.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to describe an innovative procedure for correcting acquired calf atrophy based on 3-dimensional (3D) modeling.

METHODS

The study involved 22 patients treated for calf atrophy caused by illness. Implants were made with solid rubber silicone, and 3D reconstructions were created by computer-aided design based on computed tomography scans. The implants were introduced through a horizontal popliteal incision.

RESULTS

Forty-one implants were placed. No cases of infection, hematoma, or compartment syndrome were encountered. We experienced 1 case of skin necrosis and 1 case of periprosthetic seroma. In addition, lipofilling was performed in 5 cases. Two patients sought to benefit from a surgical reduction in implant size.

CONCLUSIONS

Our innovative procedure to correct calf atrophy with custom solid rubber silicone implants produces a calf shape that better adapts to volume loss than prefilled silicone gel implants. The material maintains its shape and facilitates retrofitting of the prosthesis. There is no risk of hull formation or breakage, and the life span of the implants is limitless. This 3D computer-aided design approach has optimized our reconstructions.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 4

Arthrodesis of the Foot or Ankle in Adult Patients with Congenital Clubfoot

Background

Although clubfoot that was corrected in childhood rarely recurs in adulthood, persistent deformities or arthritic pain may require further treatment during adulthood. Little evidence exists on the operative procedures utilized in adult clubfoot patients, who were previously treated for congenital clubfoot in childhood, for residual or recurrent deformity or pain.

Objective

The objective of this study is to characterize the types and frequencies of procedures utilized in adult clubfoot patients, who were previously treated for congenital clubfoot in childhood.

Methods

A two-pronged approach was employed to describe the operative procedures used in adult clubfoot patients. First, a literature review of all reported cases of operative treatment in adult clubfoot patients who were previously treated in childhood was performed. Second, an analysis of the operative treatments used in adult patients with a diagnosis of congenital clubfoot was conducted using a large, administrative claims database.

Results

In the literature review, arthrodesis was the most cited operative treatment and reported in four out of the eight studies included. Osteotomies were also reported in the literature. In the database analysis, 94 hindfoot arthrodesis procedures were identified in 73 patients, out of 1,198 adult patients in the database with a diagnosis of congenital clubfoot. Sixty-two patients out of 1,198 adult clubfoot patients received osteotomies. An insufficient number of total ankle arthroplasties were reported for further analysis.

Conclusions

Operative treatment in adult clubfoot patients who were treated for congenital clubfoot in childhood includes hindfoot arthrodesis and osteotomy procedures. Total ankle arthroplasty has not been reported in the literature for these patients.

Surgical Calf Augmentation Techniques: Personal Experience, Literature Review and Analysis of Complications

BACKGROUND

More attention is paid to calf appearance, both in males and females, and several surgical techniques are available. Different studies have been published over time for calf augmentation, but, to the best of our knowledge, no comprehensive literature review and complications analysis have been published.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study is to analyse the overall complication rate of calf augmentation surgical procedures and complication rates associated with the investigated techniques, namely subfascial implant placement, submuscular implant placement and fat grafting or lipofilling. Demographic analysis, including age and gender, is also performed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A literature review on the PubMed database was performed for clinical studies regarding calf augmentation surgical procedures. The authors selected and analysed 26 articles among the actual literature on this field and reported personal experience in calf augmentation surgery.

RESULTS

Twenty-six studies, published from 1993 to 2018, were included in the study for a total amount of 1498 patients, with a total of 2629 calves treated. Three different surgical techniques have been reviewed, excluding medical procedures: subfascial implant augmentation (n = 1929), submuscular implant augmentation (n = 435) and fat grafting (n = 265). The overall complication rate was 4.4883%. Calf augmentation with subfascial implants presented a total complication rate of 5.702%. The submuscular implant placement complication rate was 0.92%. Fat grafting presented a global complication rate of 1.509%.

CONCLUSIONS

Calf augmentation, with all reviewed surgical techniques, has a low rate of complications compared to other body contouring procedures, but a high rate of satisfaction among patients. Fat grafting has the lowest rate of complications, but multiple sessions are required. Specific complications of implants, such as capsular contracture, malposition or rupture, are less common compared to the use of implants for other cosmetic purposes. Procedures should always be performed by experienced plastic surgeons.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE IV

This journal requires that authors assign a level of evidence to each article. For a full description of these Evidence-Based Medicine ratings, please refer to the Table of Contents or the online Instructions to Authors www.springer.com/00266 .