MINIMALLY INVASIVE TECHNIQUE FOR TENOTOMY DURING MANAGEMENT OF CONGENITAL TALIPES EQUINOVARUS (CTEV) AFTER PONSETI CASTING BY USING LARGE BORE NEEDLE.

Introduction: Congenital talipes equinovarus (CTEV), also known as ?club-foot?, is a common developmental disorder of the lower limb . CTEV, occurs 1 in 1000 live births. Tenotomy performed for tendo achilles for CTEV is routinely done percutaneously with a surgical blade. Through our study we are explaining technique for lengthening of tendo-achilles using large bore needle with safer and easier to use and with low complication rates. Aim: To study the effectiveness of the technique. Materials and Methods: A total of 30 children with 38 congenital CTEV were included our observational study. After performing serial ponseti casting , large bore needle used by minimal invasive percutaneous technique for doing tenotomy of tendo Achilles. Complication occurring during the procedure was noted. Thompson?s test was performed after tenotomy. Results: We found that this technique is very effective and safer to use than the commonly practiced percutaneous blade tenotomy . Conclusion: Percutaneous minimal invasive tenotomy of tendo achilles with a wide gauge needle is easier, safer and technique with low complication. It causes less morbidity and carries lesser risk of complications when compared to a surgical blade.