Transfibular Approach for Ankle and Tibiotalocalcaneal Arthrodesis

비골 외과 절제술을 통한 족관절 또는 경골거골종골간 관절고정술

A variety of surgical approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis has been described. We used a transfibular approach between the sural nerve and lateral branch of the superficial peroneal nerve. This permits excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint so that the fusion can readily be achieved under the direct visualization. Eight ankle fusions and four tibiotalocalcaneal fusions were carried out through a transfibular approach and reviewed. The resected fibula was utilized for bone graft. The follow up period was from 12 to 22 months. Ages of the patients ranged from 27 to 58 years. The postoperative regimen was six weeks nonweight bearing in a short leg cast, followed by weight bearing in a short leg cast until union occurred. All cases were fused except one who had preoperative pyogenic arthritis of the ankle and hindfoot. The results were as follows; 1. The chance of incisional neuroma is lessened through incision between the sural nerve and superficial peroneal nerve. 2. The possibility of a skin slough is reduced by using full thickness skin flaps. 3. Excellent visualization of the ankle and subtalar joint is easily achieved. So, we believed that the transfibular approach for ankle and tibiotalocalcaneal arthrodesis is the excellent surgical approach.