Minimally invasive calcaneal osteotomy; a safe alternative to open calcaneal osteotomy with fewer complications

Background:Calcaneal osteotomy is an established technique in correcting hind foot deformity. Patients have traditionally received an open osteotomy through Atkins lateral approach. In order to reduce the rate of wound complications associated with the Atkins approach, a minimally invasive surgical (MIS) technique has been adopted since 2011. This uses a low-speed, high-torque burr to perform the same osteotomy under radiographic guidance. The results of the new MIS technique, including post-operative complication rates, are compared to the standard open approach.Methods:The safety of the new MIS technique was investigated by conducting a case controlled study on all patients who underwent displacement calcaneal osteotomy at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre, Oxford from 2008 to 2014. The primary outcome measure was 30 day post-operative complication rate. Secondary outcome measures included operating time, duration of stay, fusion rates and amount of displacement achieved.Results:82 patients underwent calc...