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Background: Studies describing the surgical approaches utilized for talectomy and their associated complications are scarce. We aimed to compare the surgical techniques and associated procedures from two groups of patients who underwent talectomy using two approaches. The main purpose of this study was to describe the complications and recurrence rates associated with each technique., Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2019, 62 talectomies were performed in 48 pediatric patients with different pathologies. All patient data were reviewed retrospectively, and data of 31 patients were included in the study. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical technique used, and the baseline characteristics, along with the post-operative findings, and the intervention types in relation to complications were analyzed., Results: In the terms of hindfoot varus, midfoot adductus, forefoot supination, and dorsal bunions, the prevalence of these deformities was higher in group (A). Group (B) patients tolerated braces (88.9 %) better than group (A) patients (84.0 %). More adjunct procedures were required in group (A) than group (B) Furthermore, the frequency and types of complications, as well as the need for further surgeries were also higher in group (A). There was a higher rate of recurrence in group A than group B., Conclusions: Talectomy is an effective procedure for the treatment of persistent foot deformities despite associated complications. Surgical details and addressing associated deformities with adjunct surgical interventions should be considered.

Background: Historically, talectomy has been predominantly performed to operatively treat severely rigid equinovarus feet. A limited number of investigators have studied functional outcomes in pediatric patients posttalectomy. We aimed to assess the outcomes of pediatric patients undergoing talectomy using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) score and a subjective survey of patients' and their caregivers' satisfaction., Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study that included 31 patients with nonidiopathic severely rigid talipes equinovarus, in a single center, using consecutive sampling. All medical records of those patients were reviewed, and relative data were extracted. The AOFAS score was used to measure the outcomes during the last visit (April 2020). Satisfaction was evaluated in a binary manner by questioning the patients and their caregivers if they would undergo the same surgery again for the same result., Results: Thirty-one patients were included. Myelomeningocele was the primary diagnosis in 13 patients (41.9%), and arthrogryposis was diagnosed in 11 patients (35.5%). Twenty-two patients had bilateral procedures. The mean age at the time of surgery was 6.0 ± 3.0 years, and the mean follow-up was 6.0 ± 1.0 years. Plantigrade feet following the primary surgery were achieved in 88.5% of cases. Postoperatively, braces were well tolerated in 86.5% of patients. Deformity recurrence was observed in 21.2% of patients, and 17.3% of patients required subsequent surgeries. Patients with arthrogryposis had significantly higher AOFAS scores than those with myelomeningocele and other diagnoses ( P = .017). Further, patients who tolerated braces had higher AOFAS scores than those who did not tolerate braces ( P = .006). However, patients who developed hindfoot varus and dorsal bunion postoperatively had lower AOFAS scores ( P = .054 and P = .006, respectively). Patients who had recurrent deformities or required further surgeries also had lower AOFAS scores ( P = .025 and P = .015, respectively). Although 17.3% of patients were not able to comment about their satisfaction due to their general medical condition, 63.5% of patients reported that they were satisfied. Furthermore, 75.0% of caregivers were satisfied with the outcomes and their children's functional status posttalectomy., Conclusion: The observed outcomes of primary and salvage talectomies demonstrate the general overall effectiveness of this operative intervention as an end-stage treatment for pediatric patients with severely rigid talipes equinovarus., Level of Evidence: Level III; retrospective cohort study.