Resection osteotomy for calcaneus flattening after micro-surgical flap: technical note.

An open fracture of the calcaneus with loss of substance is a challenging injury and requires specialized care, involves high costs, and demands attention despite its lower incidence. The main complications are osteomyelitis, pressure ulcers, and fistulas, as well as pain conditions in the lateral, medial, and plantar regions. This is due to the wide loss of tissue and the change in anatomical conformation of the calcaneus in some cases. However, in cases of flattening of the calcaneus bone, these complications may be prevented or treated successfully. This technical note describes the resection osteotomy technique for calcaneus flattening to prevent and treat complications after micro-surgical flap in cases of open fracture or loss of substance.

Introduction

Open fractures of the calcaneus classified as Gustilo and Anderson type III1, 2, 3, 4 are associated with short- and long-term complications. The main complications are infections, pain and fistulas or pressure ulcers in the topography of the lower calcaneal tuberosity, even after myocutaneous covering with vascularized flaps, which can be observed in up to one-third of cases.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

This is due to the extensive tissue loss and to changes in the shape of the calcaneus in some cases. However, in cases of flattening of the calcaneus bone, these complications may be successfully prevented or treated.

The purpose of this note is to describe a resection osteotomy technique for calcaneus flattening, aiming to prevent and treat complications after microsurgical flap in cases of open fracture or tissue loss.

Technical note

The steps of the proposed surgery are:

Resection of ulcers and fistulas in the calcaneal region under the existing microsurgical flap; or preparation of the area for the flap that will be made (Fig. 1);

Fig. 1

(A) Complication of calcaneal flap with plantar ulcer and fistula and (B) debridement of devitalized tissue and local preparation.

Resection osteotomy for calcaneus flattening in the posteroinferior tuberosity, avoiding areas of overpressure on the old or the new flap (Fig. 2);

Fig. 2

Lateral radiographs of the calcaneus. (A) Preoperative, with no evidence of osteomyelitis and areas of overpressure and (B) postoperative, highlighting the resection of the posteroinferior calcaneal tuberosity, correcting the deformities.

Coverage with a microsurgical flap (Fig. 3).

Fig. 3

Post-operative aspect of the latissimus dorsi microsurgical flap.

Discussion

Open calcaneal fractures with loss of substance are challenging injuries that require specialized care, involve high costs, and demand attention, despite their low incidence. The main complications are osteomyelitis, pressure ulcers and fistulas, as well as pain conditions in the lateral, medial, and plantar regions.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

This new technique was designed after following-up a teenage patient (Fig. 4) who had had a calcaneal injury, healed by second intention and then developed ulcers and fistulas due to the presence of increased pressure points. The lesion was resected and a microsurgical flap of the latissimus dorsi was made for better coverage of the area (Fig. 5), but the calcaneus was left unapproached.

Fig. 4

(A) Preoperative clinical aspect of a patient with ulcer and active fistula in pressure areas in the calcaneal region and (B) intraoperative image of lesion resection and microsurgical flap transplantation.

Fig. 5

(A) Postoperative clinical aspect of a patient with microsurgical flap in the calcaneus and (B) with bone graft.

After approximately ten years, the patient suffered an ankle sprain during a soccer game; when the ankle radiographs were assessed (Fig. 6), a natural flattening of the plantar portion of the calcaneus was observed, without complications such as ulcers, fistulas, or pain (Fig. 7).

Fig. 6

Lateral radiograph of the calcaneus, with no evidence of osteomyelitis and natural flattening of posteroinferior calcaneal tuberosity.

Fig. 7

Clinical aspect of the microsurgical flap and graft on the calcaneus (A and B) after ten years, without the presence of ulcers, fistulae, or regional pain.

Final considerations

The resection osteotomy technique for flattening the calcaneus can be used for the prevention or treatment of complications after a microsurgical flap in the region. Clinical and surgical studies with a larger number of cases should be performed for better evaluation of the technique.

Conflicts of interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.