Percutaneous Transosseous Suture Fixation of the Akin Osteotomy and Minimally Invasive Chevron for Correction of Hallux Valgus

Abstract

Background: The objective of the study was evaluation of the clinical and radiologic outcomes and complications following the minimally invasive chevron procedure employing the Akin osteotomy with percutaneous transosseous suture as compared to screw fixation. Methods: Between 2018 and 2019, the authors performed 103 minimally invasive chevron (MIC) with Akin osteotomies. In 54 patients, the Akin osteotomy was performed with screw stabilization (group A), and in 49 with percutaneous transosseous suture (group B). Preoperatively and 1 year later, the authors employed anteroposterior and lateral weightbearing radiographs of the feet to evaluate interphalangeal angle (IPA), distal phalangeal articular angle (DPAA), proximal phalangeal articular angle (PPAA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA), hallux valgus angle (HVA), and functional result using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale. Furthermore, all additional procedures and complications were recorded. Results: Both groups demonstrated a statistically significant decrease of the value of HVA (group A: from 34.1° to 14.0°, group B: from 33.6° to 13.0°), DPAA (group A: from 12.1° to 4.0°, group B: from 11.5° to 3.4°), PPAA (group A: from 4.6° to 1.7°, group B: from 4.3° to 1.5°), IMA (group A: from 15.1° to 8.0°, group B: from 14.7° to 7.5°) and IPA (group A: from 14.1° to 6.3°, group B: from 12.9° to 5.1°). Functional improvement as measured using the AOFAS scale was achieved in both groups (group A: from 42 to 90 points, group B: from 40 to 89 points). No cases of bone nonunion or delayed union and permanent damage to the medial dorsal cutaneous nerve were seen. Two group B patients underwent conversion of the fixation of the Akin osteotomy to screws, 3 patients had their MICA screws and 1 Akin screw removed in the outpatient setting. Conclusion: The minimally invasive chevron osteotomy with transosseous suture stabilization of the Akin osteotomy was a safe method with good functional results that were comparable to the outcomes achieved when using screw fixation. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.