Anatomical Study of Minimally Invasive Lateral Release Techniques for Hallux Valgus Treatment
Miki Dalmau‐Pastor, Francesc Malagelada, Guillaume Cordier, Jorge Javier Del Vecchio, Mauricio Esteban Ghioldi, Jordi Vega
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Lateral release (LR) for the treatment of hallux valgus is a routinely performed technique, either by means of open or minimally invasive (MI) surgery. Despite this, there is no available evidence of the efficacy and safety of MI lateral release. Our aim was to study 2 popular techniques for MI LR in cadavers by subsequently dissecting the released anatomical structures. METHODS: Twenty-two cadaveric feet were included in the study and allocated into 2 groups, 1 for each procedure: 1 group underwent a MI adductor tendon release (AR), and in the other group, an extensive percutaneous lateral release (EPLR) (adductor tendon, suspensory ligament, phalanx-sesamoid ligament, lateral head of flexor hallucis brevis, and deep transverse metatarsal ligament) was performed. Anatomical dissection was performed to identify neurovascular injuries and to verify the released structures. RESULTS: < .05). One case of inadvertent complete section of the flexor hallucis longus was identified in the percutaneous adductor tendon release group. No cases of dorsolateral nerve injury were seen with either of the techniques. CONCLUSION: Percutaneous lateral release was a reliable and accurate technique in this cadaveric model. The MI AR proved to be more effective in fully releasing the adductor tendon while the ER was intended and able to release a number of other structures. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: MI LR is a safe procedure that could obviate the need for open surgery to achieve the same surgical goal. It can be associated to either open or MI osteotomies in the correction of hallux valgus.