The Learning Curve of Third-Generation Percutaneous Chevron and Akin Osteotomy (PECA) for Hallux Valgus.

The learning curve to reach technical proficiency for third-generation percutaneous or minimally invasive chevron and Akin osteotomies (PECA/MICA) is recognized to be steep however it is poorly defined in the literature. This study is a retrospective review of the first 58 consecutive PECA cases of a single surgeon. The primary outcome was the number of cases required to reach technical proficiency as defined by the operation time. Secondary outcomes included radiation exposure, radiographic deformity correction, and complication rates. Between November 2017 and March 2019, 61 consecutive PECA cases were performed with outcome data available for 58 of these (95%). Technical proficiency was reached after 38 cases. Operation time and radiation exposure significantly decreased after this transition point (p < .05). There was no difference in complication rate or radiographic deformity correction regardless of position along the learning curve (p > .05). In conclusion, the mean number of cases required to reach technical proficiency in third-generation PECA is 38 cases. The complication rate does not correlate to the number of cases performed, therefore surgeons interested in learning minimally invasive surgery can be reassured that there is unlikely to be an additional risk of harm to a patient during the learning curve.

Ionising radiation exposure in patients with circular frame treatment of distal tibial fractures.

Total radiation exposure accumulated during circular frame treatment of distal tibial fractures was quantified in 47 patients treated by a single surgeon from February 2007 until Oct 2010. The radiation exposures for all relevant radiology procedures for the distal tibial injury were included to estimate the radiation risk to the patient. The median time of treatment in the frame was 169 days (range 105-368 days). Patients underwent a median of 13 sets of plain radiographs; at least one intra operative exposure and 16 patients underwent CT scanning. The median total effective dose per patient from time of injury to discharge was 0.025mSv (interquartile range 0.013-0.162 and minimum to maximum 0.01-0.53). The only variable shown to be an independent predictor of cumulative radiation dose on multivariate analysis was the use of CT scanning. This was associated with a 13-fold increase in overall exposure. Radiation exposure during treatment of distal tibial fractures with a circular frame in this group was well within accepted safe limits. The fact that use of CT was the only significant predictor of overall exposure serves as a reminder to individually assess the risk and utility of radiological investigations on an individual basis. This is consistent with the UK legal requirements for justification of all X-ray imaging, as set out in the Ionising Radiation (Medical Exposure) Regulations 2000 [1].