Functional and radiographic outcomes after surgery for displaced intraarticular calcaneal fractures: Comparison between the sinus tarsi approach and the extensile lateral approach

Abstract

The sinus tarsi approach (STA) is a relatively novel and minimally invasive procedure that reduces soft tissue complications during surgery for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures (DIACF). We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of this approach by comparing the functional and radiographic outcomes obtained after the STA and the extensile lateral approach (ELA) in DIACF. The medical records of 73 patients underwent surgery for displaced intra-articular calcaneal fractures between 2013 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The cases were divided into two groups. The first group classified as STA (n: 39) and the second one classified as ELA (n: 34). Pre-Postoperative Boehler-Gissane angle, calcaneal length, height and width, postoperative AOFAS scores, and postoperative complication rates for each case were recorded and statistically compared. The AOFAS score was 82.5±4.4 points in the STA group whereas it was 79.5±5.4 points in the ELA group (p: 0.01). According to AOFAS scoring, 74.4% of patients in the STA group had an excellent-good outcome, whereas it was 55.9% in the ELA group. The postoperative Boehler angles were 28.5±8.4 degrees in the STA group and 26.3±8.3 degrees in the ELA group (p: 0.26). The postoperative Gissane angles were 122.2±8.9 degrees in the STA group and 128.7±10.5 degrees in the ELA group (p:0.005). Superficial infection was observed in one patient in STA group. Wound infections and necrosis in four patients and non-union was seen in one patient in ELA group. Minimally invasive surgery with STA is a feasible and effective surgical treatment method that provides adequate postoperative radiological alignment and functional results and minimizes soft tissue dissection in DIACFs.