Scar quality from partial or complete wound closure using the Cincinnati incision for clubfoot surgery

The method of skin closure in using the Cincinnati incision for clubfoot surgery may influence the quality of the scar obtained and the postoperative outcome. We retrospectively reviewed two groups of patients who underwent either primary skin closure (14 feet in 11 patients) or partial wound closure and healing by secondary intention (15 feet in 11 patients). The quality of the scars from both of these methods were equally acceptable cosmetically, and neither technique predisposed the patient to any long-term wound complications. In addition, we noted that closing the skin may act as a soft tissue tether, and that the initial position of the postoperative splinting of the foot may influence the surgical outcome. Both of these factors may contribute to the recurrence of equinovarus deformity.