Minimally invasive versus open calcaneal osteotomies - Comparing the intraoperative parameters.

BACKGROUND: The calcaneal osteotomies is often performed to correct asymptomatic hindfoot deformities. More recently minimally invasive techniques have been described with promising clinical outcomes. In a prospective study we compared the intraoperative parameters of the open and minimalinvasive (MICO) techniques, which has not previously been reported.

METHODS: 60 consecutive with calcaneal osteotomy (33 open and 27 MICO) and a minimum follow up of 12 weeks were included. We recorded the following intraoperative parameters: operation time for the osteotomy [min], the fluoroscopy time, the fluoroscopy dose and the skin incision. The clinical (FAOS) and radiological outcome were examined 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively. The Wilcoxon test and the continuity correction were used with alpha=5% value for the statistical significance.

RESULTS: The minimally invasive group showed a significantly shorter operation time. There was no significant difference between the radiation time and dose in the two groups. The length of the incision in the minimally invasive group was significantly shorter. We found no difference in clinical outcome and radiological follow up.

CONCLUSIONS: This study reports a significantly shorter operating time and a shorter incision in the MICO group. The radiation exposition was not significantly different between the two groups. A clinical difference could not be shown in our study. However, we see the shorter operating time of the minimally invasive calcaneal osteotomy being beneficial.