[Cleavage lines and incisions in foot surgery].

BACKGROUND: In the constantly evolving, increasingly important field of foot surgery, the question arises as to whether the incision types currently in use are adequate. Whether Langer's lines should be considered during the operative approach to the foot is examined here. The goal of the current study was to investigate the pattern of skin cleavage lines of cadaveric feet and to establish the optimal incision type for surgical approaches to the foot.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twelve feet from older deceased subjects were examined. The samples were fixed. The cleavage lines of the individual skin regions were outlined and evaluated. To emphasize the significance of the investigative findings, the cleavage lines and the current, relevant operative approaches were compared.
RESULTS: Standard current approaches often ignore skin cleavage lines, understandably resulting in cosmetically unsatisfactory scars. A chart with ideal incision types for individual operations was created.
CONCLUSION: The ideal incision should run parallel to skin cleavage lines. If this is not completely possible due to operative requirements, then at least a large part of the incision should follow these lines.