[Percutaneous tenotomy of achilles tendon in the treatment of congenital clubfeet--a preliminary report].

The authors present early results of conservative treatment in congenital clubfeet connected with the percutaneous tendon Achilles tenotomy in 10 children (16 feet). 9 feet were of type III and 7 of type IV according to the Dimeglio scale. Minimum follow up was 6 months, with an average follow up period of 10 months. All cut Achilles tendons regenerated completely. On follow up 9 feet were completely corrected, 5 presented with mild forefoot adduction and 2 feet required surgery because of recurrent equinovarus deformity. The authors claim that the percutaneous tendon Achilles tenotomy is a safe and valuable procedure which allows to avoid early surgery in 88% of clubfeet.