Objective To investigate the application and effectiveness of metatarsal mortise and tenon shortening osteotomy in the treatment of macrodactyly in children. Methods The clinical data of 17 children with macrodactyly (18 feet and 27 toes) admitted between January 2018 and January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 12 males (12 feet and 18 toes) and 5 females (6 feet and 9 toes); the age ranged from 1 to 13 years, with a median age of 5 years. All children were treated with metatarsal mortise and tenon shortening osteotomy. Ten cases of single-segment metatarsals were shortened, 7 cases of 2-segment metatarsals, and 1 case of 3-segment metatarsals; involved 1 foot of single toe, 9 feet of 2 toes, 3 feet of 3 toes, 3 feet of 4 toes, and 2 feet of 5 toes. Five cases had lameness, and 1 case had limited walking with the big toes of both feet, and there was no obvious pain in all children. X-ray films showed that the involved phalanges were thickened and increased in 18 feet, and the deformity of the distal segment was heavier than that of the proximal segment in 13 feet, and the two were similar in 5 feet. The length of metatarsal shortening was 0.7-2.5 cm, with an average of 1.2 cm. The clinical healing of shortened metatarsal fractures in children was observed after operation, and the occurrence of related complications was recorded. ResultsAll 17 children were followed up 6-22 months, with an average of 14 months. All incisions healed by first intention. The osteotomy ends of 27 toes were clinically healed after operation, and the healing time was 4-8 weeks. No nonunion, fracture displacement, malunion, epiphyseal plate premature closure, and needle tract infection occurred. ConclusionMetatarsal mortise and tenon shortening osteotomy is a good osteotomy method. It can improve the stability of the osteotomy end and increase the contact surface of the osteotomy end, which is conducive to the healing of the osteotomy end and is suitable for the treatment of macrodactyly.
Objective To evaluate the effectiveness of tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture and division of the common plantar digital nerve branches in the treatment of congenital macrodactyly in children. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 9 children with congenital macrodactyly who met the selection criteria and were admitted between January 2018 and December 2024. The cohort included 4 males and 5 females, aged 1-6 years (median, 3 years). Syndactyly of the second and third toes was present in 2 patients. Hypertrophy distribution was as follows: 1 case of single-ray involvement, 4 of double-ray, 1 of triple-ray, 1 of quadruple-ray, and 2 of quintuple-ray. Preoperatively, 7 cases exhibited limitations in both active and passive flexion and extension of the affected toes; in 2 cases, active movement was restricted while passive motion remained intact. All 9 children were unable to wear standard-sized footwear for the unaffected foot. Six presented with a limp, and 3 had difficulty walking. All 9 cases were moderate to severe progressive macrodactyly, and the growth rate of the affected foot was significantly faster than that of the healthy side. Six cases had undergone prior surgical interventions at other institutions, but disease progression continued postoperatively. All 9 patients underwent tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture and selective division of the common plantar digital nerve branches. At last follow-up, the foot growth rate was calculated (compared with that immediately after operation), and the changes of plantar pain sensation in the affected foot were detected before operation, immediately after operation, and at last follow-up, and the surgical efficacy was evaluated based on improvements in shoe fit and gait function. Results All 9 children were followed up 6-36 months, with an average of 18 months. All the incisions healed by first intention, and no infection or plantar ulceration occurred. At last follow-up, the growth rate of the affected foot was 0.10 (0.04, 0.14) cm/month, which was significantly slower than that of the healthy foot 0.14 (0.08, 0.18) cm/month (Z=3.951, P<0.001). Preoperatively, plantar pain sensation was absent in all cases; it was restored immediately after operation. At last follow-up, 6 patients had absent pain sensation, 2 had partial preservation (involving certain toes and central plantar regions), and 1 patient (with 3-year follow-up) exhibited regained sensation in multiple plantar areas. Gait improved in most cases, in which 8 children achieved normal ambulation, while 1 continued to limp due to leg-length discrepancy. Surgical efficacy were rated as excellent in 1 case, good in 7, and fair in 1. Conclusion Tibial nerve transection with epineurial suture combined with selective division of the common plantar digital nerve branches effectively reduces the growth rate of congenital macrodactyly in children, has minimal impact on plantar sensory function, and does not result in plantar ulcers or impaired ambulation.