Pedal ectrodactyly: a case report with a new surgical management

A case report is presented regarding a patient with type IV bilateral ectrodactyly treated with a double surgical approach: in forefoot to correct the malformation and in rearfoot to prevent secondary deformity of the subtalar joint. The forefoot was enlarged and in particular the second and third rays were absent. There was also a metatarsus primus varus with interphalangeal hallux abductus. The second cuneiform bone was removed with a wedge resection of the midfoot. The reduction in transverse diameter of the forefoot was obtained by cerclage of the first and fourth metatarsal bones. For hallux valgus, a percutaneous distal osteotomy of the proximal phalanx was performed. Several months after the forefoot correction, subtalar joint pronation was noted secondary to the altered forefoot mechanics and was treated with a subtalar Arthroereisis. The contralateral foot was addressed using similar techniques, except all procedures were done in a single surgical session. A favorable outcome for the patient 1 year and 6 months after surgery seems to justify this approach.