Correction results of atypical clubfeet managed with modified Ponseti technique: A meta-analysis of 354 feet.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: Atypical clubfeet are distinct from idiopathic clubfeet. It is resistant to correction by conventional casting methods and often requires a modification of Ponseti's casting technique. Although the initial correction rates are reasonable, relapse and complications are frequent. There is limited literature on the results of modified Ponseti casting of these feet. We conducted this meta-analysis to study a few important aspects of atypical/complex clubfeet treatment by the modified Ponseti technique.

RESEARCH QUESTION

What are the results of atypical or complex clubfeet after treatment by the modified Ponseti technique?

METHODOLOGY

Five electronic databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Ovid, and Cochrane Library) were searched for articles reporting on the results of atypical/complex clubfeet treated by the modified Ponseti technique. Details of the number of casts required for correction, rate of percutaneous Achilles tenotomy (PAT), other soft tissue procedures required, complications, and relapse rates were extracted into spreadsheets, and meta-analysis was carried out using OpenMeta Analyst software.

RESULTS

Ten studies were included for analysis with a total of 240 patients with 354 clubfeet. The initial correction was achieved in all feet. A pooled analysis of the data showed that a mean of six casts was required for the initial correction. The rate of PAT was 98.3%. The overall complication rate was 16.8%. 7.2% required an additional soft tissue procedure apart from the PAT, and relapse of the deformity was observed in a mean of 19.8% cases.

CONCLUSION

Modified Ponseti technique is effective in the initial management of atypical/complex clubfeet. Although the PAT rate is slightly higher in the Modified Ponseti technique, the remaining result parameters are comparable with the results of idiopathic clubfoot managed with the Ponseti method of casting. However, these children should be kept under follow-up for a longer duration to find the exact relapse rates.