[Minimally invasive tibialis anterior tendon transfer in shuttle technique for the treatment of clubfoot recurrence in adolescent patients].

OBJECTIVE: Tibialis anterior transfer in shuttle technique using the tunnelator is an atraumatic surgical technique without injuring the extensor retinaculum. The technique allows for postoperative treatment with pain-adapted full weight-bearing for 6 weeks in a lower leg cast which is simplified compared to the current literature.

INDICATIONS: Passive, correctable clubfoot recurrences in the event of muscular imbalance (overbalanced anterior tibial muscle).

CONTRAINDICATIONS: Structural movement restrictions of the foot, muscular insufficiency of the anterior tibial muscle, infection or cancerous lesions in the surgical site.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUE: Loosen the tibialis anterior muscle at the base of the first metatarsal. Guide the tendon proximally out of the extensor retinaculum, then shuttle the tendon below the retinaculum with the help of the "tunnelator" and transosseous fixation at the lateral cuneiform.

POSTOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT: Pain-adapted full weight-bearing in a lower leg walking cast for 6 weeks postoperatively.

RESULTS: In the course of a retrospective study, the above-mentioned surgical procedure was carried out in 20 patients (total n = 26 surgeries) between 2013 and 2019. After a follow-up of 12 months, complete correction of the clubfoot relapse was found in 88.5% of cases. There were no general or specific surgical complications.