Mittal RL. Trimorphic extreme clubfoot deformities and their management by triple surgical skin expanders- DOLAR, DOLARZ and DOLARZ-E (evidence based mega-corrections without arthrodesis).
Int Orthop 2018;
42:1297-306. [PMID:
29453587 DOI:
10.1007/s00264-017-3741-6]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2017] [Accepted: 12/14/2017] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
AIM/PURPOSE
Extreme congenital club foot deformities are common in developing countries, presenting at birth, persisting in children, adolescents and adults; as untreated/under-corrected by conservative and/or surgical means. Scores of confusing names exist in literature for such deformities with no good treatment available; mostly advocating unacceptable arthrodesis. The author researched this grey area for more than 40 years and successfully innovated improved surgical corrections, more acceptable to patients.
METHODS
All were given a generic name: "extreme deformities", with 3 hierarchic grades. each 3D (trimorphic) because of their common aim: a good correction. The author started with anatomical dissections in clubfeet (zero cost), consistently reinforced with solid clinical background. Heterogeneous skin contractures, congenital with/without scars, were discovered as the primary cause with cramped deeper tissues and evolved, evidence based, 3D enlargement of skin chamber by triple expanding incisions: DOrso-LAteral Rotation skin flap (DOLAR- acronym) for grade I, DOLAR + Z-plasty (DOLARZ) for grade II and DOLAR + Z + VY-plasty (DOLARZ-E) for grade III, E means Extended. Patient satisfaction level (excellent, good, fair/poor) had been considered for grading results, rather than scoring systems because each clubfoot is different with countless variables.
RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS
The author operated 1080 feet during the last 40 years with long term follow up, six months to 30 years, with an average of 12½ years. The results obtained were: excellent/good (96%) and fair/poor (4% including superficial skin necrosis only in 3%, evidence based). Triple surgical skin expansion consistently resulted in longer, flexible, joints sparing, good shaped, better functioning foot; even in adults.
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