Tarsal coalition resection in children: Is it effective?

Tarsal coalitions in children are a group of disorders that typically present as a rigid flatfoot deformity. Operative treatment generally consists of resecting the coalition alone or resection plus flatfoot reconstructive procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the rate and risk factors for complications, including infection, recurrence, and reoperation, following the surgical management of tarsal coalitions in children. This is a retrospective cohort study on the surgical outcomes of pediatric tarsal coalitions alone or in combination with adjunctive procedures. This study was conducted between 01/01/2008 and 12/31/2019 and utilized electronic health records and chart review was performed to describe patient demographic, clinical, perioperative characteristics, and whether patients have subsequent foot and ankle procedures after the index resection surgery. The study cohort included 165 feet belonging to 144 patients. The age range at time of surgery was 12 years of age (11-14). Of the 165 feet, 18 (10.9%) experienced a postoperative complication, including six infections of which two required reoperation, six recurrences all requiring reoperation, and six reoperations not due to recurrence. Patients with a postoperative complication demonstrated increased age (13.9 years vs 12.4 years, p=0.007), obesity (33.3% vs 13.6%, p=0.026), and/ or preoperative hindfoot valgus deformity (33.3% vs 7.5%, p=0.004). The overall postoperative complication rate was 10.9%. Results of this study provided important information for providers as they discuss different treatment approaches and anticipated outcomes with patients and their families.