Challenging clubfeet: the arthrogrypotic clubfoot and the complex clubfoot.

Within the realm of clubfoot deformities, teratologic and complex (or atypical) clubfeet stand out as the most difficult. Exemplarities of the teratologic types of clubfoot are those associated with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita. Treatment of arthrogrypotic clubfoot deformities has been controversial; many different procedures have been advocated, with variable success rates. These clubfeet have a high recurrence rate, regardless of treatment type. Often, the high recurrence rate has led to a high repeat surgery rate, and poor outcomes. Treatment strategies should highlight care that avoids the development of a stiffened foot and allows for a variety of options to regain correction when a relapse occurs. Modifications of the Ponseti method for idiopathic clubfeet have been successful in managing the deformity. The equinocavus variant of the arthrogrypotic clubfoot should be distinguished from the classic clubfoot, as it requires a different treatment method. The equinocavus clubfoot is very similar to the complex or atypical clubfoot. The complex, or atypical, clubfoot also requires a different treatment strategy compared with the typical idiopathic congenital clubfoot. The complex clubfoot appears to be idiopathic in some cases and iatrogenic (due to slipping stretching casts) in others. Dr. Ponseti's modification of his protocol has been effective in treating the deformity. The high recurrence rate suggests the difficulty in maintaining the deformity after correction. The author's preferred treatment for each deformity is included, with an emphasis on minimally invasive methods. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level V, expert opinion.

Lung volume histograms after computed tomography of the chest with three-dimensional imaging as a method to substantiate successful surgical expansion of the rib cage in achondroplasia.

The authors describe a radiographic method to quantify a surgical procedure of thoracic expansion in a 2-year-old patient with achondroplasia, small chest cage, and severe restrictive lung disease. The patient had undergone three surgical procedures of thoracic expansion since birth. The authors utilized computer-generated lung volume histograms after spiral computed tomographic scanning and three-dimensional imaging of the lungs to calculate his lung volumes before and after the third surgical thoracic expansion. The lung volumes, calculated by the histograms, were 363 mL and 406 mL before and after surgery, respectively. This 40-mL difference in the patient's lung volumes (4 mL/kg) accounted for a significant clinical improvement. Lung volume histograms obtained by this radiographic method are very helpful in substantiating a successful surgical chest expansion or provide an explanation for an unsuccessful repair.