Endoscopic Concurrent Gastrocnemius Muscle Resection and Soleus Muscle Neurectomy for Severe Muscular Calf Hypertrophy.

BACKGROUND

Selective neurectomy or muscle resection techniques for calf reduction conventionally focus on the gastrocnemius muscle. However, the underlying soleus muscle plays an important role in muscular calf hypertrophy. In the authors' experience, the results of calf reduction have been suboptimal in patients with severe muscular calf hypertrophy who underwent gastrocnemius muscle resection only. This article describes a new calf reduction method that uses concurrent gastrocnemius muscle resection and soleus muscle neurectomy using an endoscope-assisted single-incision approach in patients with severe muscular calf hypertrophy.

METHODS

A total of 139 patients who underwent simultaneous gastrocnemius muscle resection and soleus muscle neurectomy for severe calf hypertrophy from March of 2017 to June of 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

RESULTS

After combined gastrocnemius resection (mean weight per calf, 349 g) and soleus neurectomy, about 3.8 to 8.2 cm (mean, 6.4 cm) or 12.8% to 24.3% (mean, 16.6%) of the calf was reduced. Complications included cellulitis, hematoma, seroma, and mild depression ( n = 1 each). Two patients had traction injury to the sural nerve. One patient developed Achilles tendon rupture at 2 months postoperatively. No patient complained of functional impairment with respect to easy fatigability, stability, gait, or sport activities at 6 months postoperatively.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to combine gastrocnemius muscle resection with selective soleus muscle neurectomy to achieve the most efficient calf reduction for severe muscular calf hypertrophy.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic, IV.