Corrección quirúrgica del puente epifisario longitudinal en metatarsianos y falanges del pie

The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket is a rare ossifi cation defect in immature patients. We report our results in the surgical treatment of 4 patients (6 feet) from 1999 to 2004. The longitudinal epiphyseal bracket was bilateral in the proximal phalanx of the toe in 2 patients (4 feet) and unilateral in the fi rst metatarsal in 2 patients (2 feet).The aim was to consider the results of surgical treatment for this deformity. The surgical technique consisted of excision of the central area of the longitudinal epiphyseal bracket in one case and central physiolysis associated with corrective addition osteotomy of angular and shortening deformity in the other 5 cases. The average follow-up was 6 years (range 4-8 years). The results were assessed considering correction of angular deviation of the toe and increase in longitudinal bone growth. All patients present satisfactory evolution with no complications of surgical treatment reported. Surgical treatment is always indicated in such cases, and the approach should be individualized.