Percutaneous, intra-articular, Chevron osteotomy (PeICO) for the treatment of hallux valgus: a cadaveric study

Abstract

Background: Percutaneous surgery is experiencing sustained growth based on third-generation techniques. This cadaveric study was designed with the main goal of exploring the risk of iatrogenic tendon and neurovascular lesions and defining the safe zones in a percutaneous, intra-articular, chevron osteotomy (PeICO) procedure, as well as assessing the accuracy of the osteotomy itself. Methods: Eight feet from below-knee fresh-frozen specimens were selected. After the procedure, the specimens were dissected, and structures were inspected for damage. Results: The results of the safety measurements were as follows: (1) distance between portal 1 (P1) and the lateral border of the extensor hallucis longus (EHL) tendon: average 17.6 mm (range 12.7-21.3); (2) distance between P1 and the dorsomedial digital nerve (DMDN): average 7.2 mm (range 1.6-10.4); (3) distance between P1 and the metatarsophalangeal joint: average 15.7 mm (range 9.4-20.5); distance between portal 2 (P2), or the osteosynthesis portal, and the metatarsophalangeal joint: average 25.5 mm (range 22-30.4); distance between P2 and the lateral border of the EHL tendon: average 12.7 mm (range 8-16.7); and distance between P2 and the DMDN: average 4.1 mm (range 1.7-8.2). There were no iatrogenic injuries. The osteotomy angulation in the sagittal plane (reproducibility) average was 85.6 degrees. Conclusion: There were no iatrogenic injuries on this cadaveric study of PeICO. Clinical relevance: This study will help orthopedic surgeons understand the risks of performing percutaneous surgery by mimicking an accepted open technique (chevron).