[Posterior release in congenital talipes equinovarus adductus]

To show the utility of posterior release to correct adduct congenital talipes equinovarus (CTE) and describe the surgical technique.

This clinical trial was conducted from February 2002 to November 2008. Patients ages 0-24 months old with a diagnosis of adduct CTE were enrolled. Surgical treatment consisted of a posterior approach to the foot with Z-plasty of the tibialis posterior, flexor digitorum longus and flexor hallucis longus, capsulotomy, adductor hallucis release, and cast immobilization for 8 weeks.

The sampling was non-randomized, non-probabilistic; patients were enrolled based on the diagnosis. The statistical analysis included the central trend and scatter measures, the Student "t" test, RR, and homogeneity chi square test.

Twenty-five patients were enrolled, 13 females and 12 males, with a total of 30 feet, 10 left and 6 right, and 7 bilateral patients. Median age was 15 years (range 11-24 years). Correction was achieved and maintained in 27 feet. Three cases had adduct relapse and were managed conservatively. The statistical analysis showed the effectiveness of treatment. The result of the Student "t" test and the chi square test was p < 0.0002.

The proposed treatment was effective to correct the adduct CTE, with a proven effectiveness of more than 90% in the patients included in this study. The age of onset of treatment > 18 months was a risk factor for residual adduct with a RR = 3.7.