Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term results of Cincinnati incision release in resistant clubfoot. Methods: 130 children with clubfoot deformity were treated at Our lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, during the four year period from January, 1994, toDecember, 1997. A Cincinnati release was performed on 41 feet in 32 patients with a resistant club-foot deformity. All the children had a previous hind foot release at the age of three months. At the time of surgery the children were aged between 9 months and 1.5 years with one exception. The average follow-up period was 60 months.

This approach enabled the surgeon to correct the deformity in all planes simultaneously, with a clearer visualization of the anatomical structures.

Emphasis was placed on correcting the foot position to neutral and in particular avoiding over-correction. The corrected foot position was maintained by inserting three pins at the time of surgery, which were removed 6 weeks later. Serial casts were used for a period of 16 weeks. Tarso-pronator boots were used to maintain correction in the ambulant child. Results: Parent satisfaction with the operation was very high and the children tolerated the procedure well with no significant post- operative complications. Using the Magone functional rating system 81% of the feet was good or excellent, with 19% fair results. There were no poor results in our series. All the children were pain free and no child suffered from limitation of daily activities. Conclusion: We conclude that the Cincinnati incision release technique is an effective method of correcting the deformity in resistant clubfeet. With meticulous attention to surgical technique complications can be minimized.