[Elongation with callotaxis for congenital brachymetatarsia].

Objective: To present 10 cases of congenital brachymetatarsia treated with elongation by means of callotaxis with external minifixators.

Introduction: Brachymetatarsia of one or more of the matatarsals involving one or both extremities is a congenital condition, more frequent in the right foot, with the 4th metatarsal most commonly affected.

Material And Methods: From May 2007 to September 2008, 7 patients with congenital brachymetatarsia, ages 8 to 15 years, were operated on. Two metatarsals were involved in 3 of them and thus the series included 10 procedures. All of them underwent lengthening through callotaxis with a monoaxial external mini-fixator.

Results: Mean lengthening was 21.1 mm, with a range of 17 to 25 mm. The complications included two cases of lengthening regression of 5 mm each. Delayed healing was reported in one of these two cases, and healing occurred spontaneously at 6 months. Nine metatarsals healed without any problems; no infections or material intolerance occurred.

Conclusion: Lengthening of metatarsals through callotaxis with external mini-fixators is an appropriate procedure for pediatric and adolescent patients with congenital brachymetatarsia.