Minimally invasive surgery for hallux valgus: a systematic review of current surgical techniques.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to systematically evaluate the available literature on minimally invasive surgical (MIS) treatment for hallux valgus and to provide an overview of the different surgical techniques. METHODS: A systematic review of the literature available in MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane database was performed including studies from January 2001 to 1 January 2018. The radiological outcomes (hallux valgus angle (HVA), intermetatarsal angle (IMA)), complication rates, and clinical outcome scores were evaluated. The MINORS scale was used to assess the methodological quality of included articles. RESULTS: Of 278 reviewed articles, 23 met the inclusion criteria. The included studies reported on the results of 2279 procedures in 1762 patients. The surgical techniques were divided into five categories: the Bosch technique, MIS Chevron-Akin, Reverdin-Isham procedure, Endolog system, and techniques involving distal soft tissue release and fixation. Results regarding radiological correction, clinical outcomes, and complication rate varied widely. CONCLUSIONS: The studies included were of too little level of evidence to allow for data pooling or meta-analysis. There were too few studies on each surgical technique category to assess whether one is more effective than the rest. However, there is some evidence that the Chevron and Akin showed the most potential for improvement of the HVA and the Endolog for the IMA. An overall complication rate of 13% was obtained among all included studies. Appropriately powered randomized controlled trials, utilizing validated outcome measures, blinded assessors, and long-term follow up are needed to assess the efficacy of MIS techniques.

Anatomical considerations for minimally invasive osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal for bunionette correction - A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION: Operative correction of symptomatic bunionette by means of minimally invasive (MI) osteotomies of the 5th metatarsal (M5) has gained popularity. This study aims to investigate the safe zones of commonly used techniques and the risk of injury to neurological structures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten human fresh frozen cadaveric feet were dissected and branches of the sural nerve were identified. A frontal section of the feet was performed at the site of the skin incision described for M5 MI osteotomies (corresponding to distal and mid diaphyseal osteotomies). The location of the lateral dorsal cutaneous nerve (LDCN) of the sural nerve or its branches was documented using a goniometer and o'clock references placed on the frontal section of the M5. RESULTS: The LDCN showed variations in the distribution of its branches, forming the dorsolateral branch - a single terminal branch for the 5th toe - in 6/10 cases or two terminal branches - the dorsolateral and dorsomedial - in 4/10. At the point of osteotomies, the dorsolateral branch was identified at a mean of 22.7° from the extensor tendon around the M5 circumference and in all cases between 12 and 2 o'clock in a right foot or 10 o'clock to 12 o'clock in a left. CONCLUSION: The studied M5 osteotomies can place the dorsolateral branch of the fifth toe at risk and safe zones lie between 10 o'clock to 2 o'clock in any foot laterality. If these landmarks are considered, the risk of nerve damage is minimized when performing MI osteotomies of the M5.

Results of operative 4-in-1 patella realignment in children with recurrent patella instability.

PURPOSE: Recurrent patellar instability is a cause of knee dysfunction, limitation and pain for children. If nonoperative treatment fails to stabilise the patella, operative realignment and stabilisation have been advocated. Operative techniques in the paediatric population must preserve physeal growth while ensuring stability. We aimed to determine the outcome of children and adolescents who underwent a 4-in-1 patellar realignment (lateral release, medial reefing, Insall tube realignment and Roux-Goldthwaite patella ligament transfer). METHODS: Consecutive skeletally immature patients operated in our institution were included in the study. A total of 16 operated knees in 12 patients were recruited. All patients underwent the same procedure after attempting a minimum period of 6 months of non-operative treatment with unsatisfactory results. The main outcome measured was recurrent dislocations. Functional outcomes were assessed using the Kujala score and the Paediatric form of the International Knee Documentation Committee Subjective Knee Form (Pedi-IKDC). RESULTS: Patients were followed up for a minimum of 3 years. None of the patients sustained further patella dislocations following the operation. In 3 cases, minor patellar maltracking was noted post-operatively but all 3 remained asymptomatic. Three patients had a small area of numbness lateral to the operative incision, which coincided with hypertrophic scarring. There was one case of superficial wound infection. The mean Kujala score was 83.4 ± 11.47 and the mean Pedi-IKDC was 79.5 ± 12.56 at the latest follow-up (minimum of 36 months). CONCLUSIONS: The 4-in-1 patellar realignment is a good procedure in paediatric and adolescent patients with recurrent patella instability. Satisfactory results were observed with a minimal complication and redislocation rate in our series.