Intraoperative imaging in hallux valgus surgery.

BACKGROUND: This prospective study investigates the use of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery. To our knowledge there have been no studies questioning the benefit and reliability of intraoperative fluoroscopy in hallux valgus surgery.

METHODS: We performed a prospective investigation of 28 consecutive cases undergoing hallux valgus surgery. Fluoroscopic images were examined intraoperatively and any significant findings documented. A comparison was made between these images and weight bearing films 6 weeks postoperatively to examine their reliability. We excluded those patients that went on to have an Akin osteotomy.

RESULTS: There were no unforseen intraoperative events that were revealed by the use of fluoroscopy and no surgical modifications were made as a result of the intraoperative images. The intraoperative films were found to be a reliable representation of the postoperative weight bearing films but a small increase in the hallux valgus angle was noted at 6 weeks and this is thought to be due to stretching of the medial soft tissue repair.

CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluoroscopy is a reliable technique. This study was performed at a centre which performs approximately 100 hallux valgus operations per year and that should be taken into consideration when reviewing our findings. We conclude that there may be a role for fluoroscopy for surgeons in the early stages of the surgical learning curve and for those that infrequently perform hallux valgus surgery. We cannot, however, recommend that fluoroscopy be used routinely in hallux valgus surgery.