REVIEW OF THE EFFECT OF FIXATION ON COMPLICATION RATE IN THE BASE WEDGE OSTEOTOMY

The complications of elevation and shortening in the oblique closing b ase wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal fixated with either a sing le AO screw or two 0.062 Kirschner wires were compared. Thirty-three c onsecutive oblique closing base wedge osteotomies of the first metatar sal bone are evaluated. With the exception of fixation, which is exami ned as an independent variable, the patients are managed identically w ith respect to osteotomy technique and postoperative care. The Reese o steotomy guide is used to normalize osteotomy configuration. The autho rs found no difference in elevation or shortening when comparing an AO screw with 0.062 Kirschner wire fixation. When other variables are co ntrolled, fixation type does not lead to a statistical difference in e levation or shortening.