Partial Calcanectomy As An Alternative To Below-The Knee Amputation For Limb Salvage. A Meta-Analysis

Background: In cases of severe calcaneal osteomyelitis, the conventional approach often involves amputation above the ankle. however, this procedure significantly impairs mobility, limits physical activity, and is associated with a five-year mortality rate exceeding 70%. as an alternative, partial or total calcanectomy has been proposed to avoid below-knee amputation (bka). this limb-sparing procedure aims to preserve function, minimize complications, and improve overall survival and quality of life. reports indicate favorable outcomes such as durable soft tissue coverage, effective wound closure, and preserved weight-bearing functionality with minimal risk of necrosis or flap failure.Objective: To assess the effectiveness of partial calcanectomy as a limb-preserving alternative to below-knee amputation.Methods: A total of 39 studies were included in the meta-analysis following the screening of 54 studies, with 15 excluded based on predefined criteria. The selected studies encompass a range of research methodologies, including prospective studies, randomized controlled trials, and retrospective analyses. Searches were conducted using the PubMed database for English-language studies published between 2008 and 2020.Results: Seen laterConclusion: Mortality rates between partial calcanectomy and below-knee amputation were found to be comparable, with common and random effect models reporting mortality rates of 0.08 and 0.25, respectively. Forest plot analysis highlights similar outcomes in both surgical approaches, reinforcing the need for individualized clinical decision-making and careful interpretation of heterogeneous data.