Operative Management of Y-Shaped Metatarsal with Biphalangeal Sixth Toe.

BACKGROUND: In the literature, there is no consensus regarding the surgical management of postaxial polydactyly, and few cases of polymetatarsia with polydactyly have been reported. Treatment of the complete deformity will prevent further foot and gait disorders. OBJECTIVE: To identify literature relevant to the operative management of Y-shaped metatarsal with biphalangeal sixth toe and related skin and wound care to improve surgical treatment protocols from a clinical experience perspective. DATA SOURCES: The authors searched several electronic databases in December 2022 for articles related to postaxial polysyndactyly in the feet and polymetatarsia. Databases searched included PubMed, SciELO, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Google Scholar gray literature. STUDY SELECTION: Two independent researchers conducted the searches and read the article titles and abstracts. Studies were included if they were narrative reviews, case studies, or observational studies; written in English or Spanish; and published between 2012 and 2022. Nonhuman studies were excluded. Studies that met the inclusion criteria were fully evaluated. Disagreements between reviewers were resolved by consensus, and when there was no consensus, a senior researcher was consulted. DATA EXTRACTION: The following data were extracted from the included studies using a standardized form: author and year of publication, study type, number of participants, sex, polydactyly location, polymetatarsia, type of polydactyly, participants' history of hereditary associated diseases or malformations, treatment, removal criteria, and timing of surgery. DATA SYNTHESIS: Authors evaluated 11 studies of postaxial polydactyly that included a total of 153 participants (64 men, 89 women). They also document their clinical experience with a surgical technique used in cases of bilateral postaxial polydactyly of the foot with a Y-shaped metatarsal with biphalangeal sixth toe. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical correction with lateral removal of the sixth toe is a resolutive treatment to improve the functionality of the foot, its aesthetic appearance, and the patient's quality of life. Case-specific treatment should be applied and tailored to meet the individual needs. The biomechanics of gait and shoe problems in these patients improve with surgical treatment, without presenting secondary aesthetic problems in skin care.

Impact of foot health behavior among ethnic minority populations: A cross-sectional population-based study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the impact of the foot health and health behavior and the characteristics of outdoor footwear among minority ethnic groups. DESIGN AND MEASURES: A cross-sectional study design using the Foot Health Status Questionnaire: foot pain, foot function, shoe, general foot health, general health, physical activity, social capacity, and vigor. Outcomes included the self-reported type of outdoor footwear and clinical characteristics by sex were collected in 2019-2020. SAMPLE: A total of 78 Roma participants self-identified as members of this ethnic minority and 72 participants non-Roma were assessed (n = 150). RESULTS: The lower score values was recorded in the footwear and general foot health domains in Roma population. General population obtained higher scores in general health domains. The most common outdoor footwear types were running shoes and walking shoes in non-Roma population, versus flip flops and slippers in Roma population. Clinical characteristics did not show any statistically significant differences (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Roma people wear flip flops and slippers and non-Roma people running shoes and walking shoes. These findings reveal cultural differences that make it easier for the Roma population to experience a greater burden of foot health problems. General foot health and foot pain dimensions show statistically significant differences among ethnicity.

Relationship between the presence of abnormal hallux interphalangeal angle and risk of ingrown hallux nail: a case control study.

BACKGROUND: Many risk factors have been identified to be associated with ingrown toenail. Internal pressure by the distal phalanx of the hallux and the second toe and external compression from the shoes has been proposed as a reason for the pathology. The main objective of the study was to analyze the existence of a correlation between the presence of pathological hallux interphalangeal angle (HIA) and risk of ingrown hallux nail. METHODS: One hundred and sixty-five subjects (312 ft) were enrolled in a cross-sectional, analytical and observational case-control study. A radiographic computerized system was used to measure HIA in both groups. The angle was considered as the sum of three angles, obliquity, asymmetry and joint deviation. RESULTS: The mean HIA in case group subjects (patients with hallux ingrown nail) was significantly higher than that obtained in control group subjects (17.39 ± 6.0° versus 13.47 ± 4.6°, p = .036). A total of 73.71 and 46.79 % of feet presented an angle equal or greater than 13.47° in the onychocryptosis and control group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a correlation between the variables analysed. The presence of an HIA greater or equal than 14.5° may be a predisposing factor for developing onychocryptosis of the hallux. Clinicians treating individuals with pathology in hallux might use a baseline cutoff of HIA equal than 13.5°.

Comparison of Resorbable and Non-Resorbable Osteosynthesis Material in Hallux Surgery: A Systematic Review.

There are various pathologies that involve the hallux, among which hallux valgus is the most common. When conservative treatment fails, it is necessary to resort to a surgical approach. The fixation elements for osteotomies in the hallux are usually composed of metallic materials; however, today, there are numerous resorbable materials that offer numerous advantages over conventional materials. In this article, the objective is to analyze the scientific evidence through the systematic analysis of the existing literature in relation to the effectiveness of resorbable versus non-resorbable osteosynthesis material in the surgical correction of hallux deformities and compare the complications as well as the patient satisfaction and quality of life between both fixation methods. A systematic review of the literature available in the PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science and Scopus databases and 10 studies were included. The documents were chosen following the eligibility and exclusion criteria, including experimental and observational studies evaluated with the Jadad and Newcastle-Ottawa methodological quality scale, respectively. Data were extracted from valid studies for the review, and the variables functionality, pain, angular corrections, complications, satisfaction and quality of life were observed. In conclusion, there is limited scientific evidence regarding the effectiveness of resorbable versus non-resorbable osteosynthesis material in the surgical correction of hallux deformities. All observed variables are similar regardless of the surgical technique and osteosynthesis material used.

Effect of Phenol Application Time in the Treatment of Onychocryptosis: A Randomized Double-Blind Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: In the treatment of Onychocryptosis, chemical matricectomy with 88% phenol solution is one of the most common surgical procedures due to a recurrence rate of less than 5%, but it may produce a delay in healing time. The objective was to compare the healing time between phenol applications of 30 or 60 s. METHODS: A comparative, prospective, parallel, randomized, and blinded clinical trial was registered with the European Clinical Trials Database. Twenty-seven patients (54 feet) with 108 affected nail folds were randomized and treated with chemical matricectomy with phenol. Each hallux was randomly assigned to one of two groups (60 vs. 30 s phenolization). Each patient and one investigator were blinded to the phenol application time in each foot. The outcome measurements were healing time, recurrence, pain, post-surgical bleeding, inflammation, and infection rate. RESULTS: The 30 s application presents a shorter healing time (14.93 ± 2.81 days vs. 22.07 ± 3.16 days; p < 0.001) with a similar recurrence rate (p = 0.99). Post-operatory bleeding, pain, inflammation, and the infection rate did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The 30 s phenol application time offers a shorter healing time than 60 s without affecting the effectiveness of the procedure, showing the same rate of complications.

Medium-Term Outcomes of Chevron Osteotomy for Hallux Valgus Correction in a Spanish Population: Radiologic and Clinical Parameters and Patient Satisfaction.

BACKGROUND: Chevron osteotomy for mild and moderate hallux valgus obtains good effects. It is suitable for a variety of cases, allowing for a significant degree of correction. This study aimed to investigate chevron osteotomy for the correction of hallux valgus in the medium-term by podiatric surgeons. It considers clinical and radiologic findings and patient perspectives and level of satisfaction. METHODS: Forty-five patients (50 feet) were assessed preoperatively, postoperatively, and at final follow-up. Mean patient age was 59.43 years (range, 32-80 years). The protocols include medical record review, clinical examination, and radiologic assessment. Anteroposterior weightbearing radiographs were analyzed preoperatively and at final follow-up. Clinical effects were analyzed with visual analog scale and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores. RESULTS: Interobserver and intraobserver reliability were evaluated. Mean ± SD hallux valgus angle decreased at final follow-up (25.30° ± 7.21° versus 17.25° ± 10.32°; P = .041). There was no significant reduction in mean ± SD intermetatarsal angle at final follow-up (13.13° ± 3.03° versus 7.65° ± 3.47°; P = .078). Final AOFAS score was 82.08 ± 17.66. This study showed the relevance of magnet therapy, nail surgery, and other procedures. No patient was dissatisfied with the aesthetic scarring. CONCLUSIONS: The radiologic results at final follow-up were not compatible with relapse of the deformity. The definitive clinical results and the degree of patient satisfaction achieved with this technique were favorable from the patients' point of view.

The Treatment of Ingrown Nail: Chemical Matricectomy With Phenol Versus Aesthetic Reconstruction. A Single Blinded Randomized Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: In onychocryptosis surgery, incisional and non-incisional matricectomy is indicated according to the stage. The chemical matricectomy with 88% phenol solution is the gold standard and a wedge resection is indicated for more advanced stages. The aesthetic reconstruction has the advantages of the incisional procedure without eponychium incisions and an effectiveness similar to the chemical matricectomy with phenol. OBJECTIVE: To compare the recurrence and the healing time between the chemical matricectomy with phenol and the aesthetic reconstruction. METHODS: A comparative, prospective, parallel, randomized, and one-blinded clinical trial was registered with the European Clinical Trials Database (EudraCT) with identification number 2019-001294-80. Thrity-four patients (56 feet) with 112 onychocryptosis were randomized in two groups. Thirty-six were treated with chemical matricectomy with phenol and 76 with aesthetic reconstruction. Each patient was blind to the surgical procedure assigned by the investigator. The primary outcome measurements were healing time and recurrence. The secondary outcome measurements were post-surgical bleeding, pain, inflammation, and infection rate. RESULTS: The aesthetic reconstruction procedure presents a shorter healing time (8.2 ± 1.4 days vs. 21.3 ± 3.1 days; p < 0.001) with a similar recurrence rate (p = 0.98). Post-operatory bleeding, pain, inflammation, and the infection rate did not show significant differences (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The aesthetic reconstruction presents a shorter healing time, favoring the patients' recuperation, with a recurrence similar to the chemical matricectomy with 88% phenol solution.

Implementation of the WHO "Safe Surgery Saves Lives" checklist in a podiatric surgery unit in Spain: a single-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: The Surgical Safety Checklist (SSC) is a tool developed by the World Health Alliance for Patient Safety, to assist health professionals in improving patient safety during surgery. Numerous specialties have incorporated this into their clinical practice. The purpose of this study is to adapt and implement this tool within the field of podiatric surgery and to evaluate its impact upon safety standards and post-surgical complications. METHODS: An analytical, observational, longitudinal study has been performed retrospectively. The implementation of the Surgical Safety Checklist in podiatric surgery took place over a 10-month period. The sample is made up from the medical histories of patients who were operated on (n = 134) in the University of Seville's podiatric clinic. The sample was divided into three groups: those prior to the implementation process (65 subjects), those after the implementation process: without the SSC (35 subjects) and those with the SSC (34 subjects). The safety standards included in the tool were analysed in conjunction with the results and post-operative complications. RESULTS: An improvement was seen in compliance with the Prophylaxis Protocol and the correct completion of the Informed Consent (p = 0.00), as well as a statistically significant relationship between the correct use of antibiotic prophylaxis and the use of the Surgical Safety Checklist (p = 0.049). The results demonstrate a reduction in the number of post-operative days (p = 0.012). No cases of surgery being performed in the wrong place were found in this study. CONCLUSIONS: The Surgical Safety Checklist allows us to improve compliance with the safety protocols recommended by the scientific community, and consequently to reduce the incidence of complications related to surgery and to improve patient safety during elective podiatric surgery.