A new limb-salvaging technique for the treatment of late stage complicated Charcot foot deformity: Two-staged Boyd's operation.

Background: Depending on the stage of disease, several operative and non-operative treatment options exist for diabetic patients with Charcot foot deformity. In the early stages of the disease, the most effective treatment is total-contact cast application. In patients with multiple bone fractures and deformations, surgical interventions are generally required for the reconstruction of foot architecture. Exostectomy, osteotomy, arthrodesis, and internal-external fixation are some of these operative methods. However, recurrence of ulcer and infection is very likely following these surgical procedures. If the lesion and infection reach to midfoot and hindfoot region, a major amputation is usually required for treatment.

Methods: We have been performing Boyd's operation for the last 10 years in diabetic foot patients who had complicated lesions in midfoot and hindfoot regions. Furthermore, since 2004, we have been doing the same operation for complicated Charcot foot deformities. So far, we have treated 11 patients.

Results: The mean age of the patients was 53.4±10.2 years, and the mean duration of diabetes mellitus (DM) was 17.5±7.2 years. All patients had chronic infections with fractures of the tarsal bones for at least 2 years. Durable wound coverage and ankylosis were achieved in all patients with two-staged Boyd's operation. No recurrence is detected in any of the patients during mean post-operative follow-up period of 2.1±0.8 years.

Conclusion: Boyd's operation is a reliable option for the treatment of patients with late stage Chatcot foot deformity.