title: Reconstructive surgery for complete talus extrusion using the sandwich block arthrodesis: a report of 2 cases.
abstract: Total extrusion of the talus is a rare and severe injury of the foot. If the talus is viable and can be repositioned, the outcome is unpredictable and mainly depends on whether infection and/or avascular necrosis ensues. If the talus is actually missing, the surgeon is faced with extensive bone loss and destruction of the ankle. In this report, we present 2 cases of total talus extrusion treated with the sandwich block tibiocalcaneal arthrodesis with structural autografts harvested from iliac crest. The surgical technique is reviewed in detail, and its application in 2 male patients who had a complete talus fracture-dislocation and a dislocation, respectively, is described. Follow-up after 18 years and 1 year, respectively, showed favorable clinical outcomes and only minor restrictions in daily activities. In light of these case reports, we believe that the sandwich block arthrodesis offers a useful alternative for the treatment of these serious lower extremity injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Traumatology and Reconstructive Surgery, Katharinenhospital, Stuttgart, Germany. heiko.koller@t-online.de
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Koller
authors.forename: Allan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assuncao
authors.forename: Klaus
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kolb
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Holz
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D001174:Arthrodesis / Q000379:methods*; D001863:Bone Screws; D016025:Bone Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D002111:Calcaneus / Q000601:surgery; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D019651:Plastic Surgery Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D013628:Talus / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome