Preliminary report: resection and interposition of a deepithelialized skin flap graft in tarsal coalition in children.

Six tarsal coalitions in children were managed surgically using a deepithelialized skin flap for interposition after resection of the bony, fibrous or cartilaginous coalition. The advantage of this technique is that due to positioning the skin flap, joint motion can be preserved. The clinical results using the Ankle Hindfoot Scale of the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society were excellent in two and good in four cases. The radiographs at follow-up showed no recurrences of the resected coalitions. This study shows that the use of deepithelialized skin flap interposition is effective in providing pain relief for the patients in symptomatic coalitions.