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In our experience, previous flaps designed for correction of the skin deficiency in complex clasped thumb do not sufficiently address the palmar contracture of the deformity. Moreover, the index finger flap, previously described by Ezaki and Oishi, provides insufficient skin at its apex with the possibility of incomplete correction and the frequent need of a thenar release incision. This article describes a flap designed for widening of the narrow thumb-index web space and release of the palmar thumb contracture in cases of congenital clasped thumb. This flap provides sufficient correction of the palmar contracture and at the same time provides adequate width and depth of the thumb-index web space., (Copyright © 2013 American Society for Surgery of the Hand. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The Ponseti method has become a well-established technique for the treatment of clubfoot presenting in the neonatal period. A few reports have discussed the result of this method in older age group. The purpose of this study is to present the results and clinical experience of using the Ponseti method in the treatment of idiopathic congenital talipes equinovarus in infants presented between 4 and 13 months of age with a history of failed manipulations. Thirty-two feet in 20 infants (12 males; eight females) with idiopathic congenital clubfeet were treated using the Ponseti method with minor modifications. The average age at presentation was 7 months (range from 4 to 13 months). We used the Pirani scoring system to assess the feet. After an average follow-up of 19 months, the ultimate overall results were satisfactory in 31 feet. The Pirani score improved from an average of 4.3 (range: 3-6) at presentation to a final follow-up average of 0.5 (range: 0-1). One foot had unsatisfactory result with a pretreatment score of 5.5 and a final score of 3. The results were also presented in terms of the number of casts applied, the need for tenotomy of tendo Achillis, recurrence of the deformity and the ultimate requirement for surgical release. The use of the Ponseti method in older-aged infants with idiopathic congenital clubfoot seems to be an effective method of treatment, obviating the need for extensive surgery.