Allofix freeze-dried cortical bone pins as an alternative to synthetic absorbable polymeric pins: a preliminary study...

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the 2.4-mm freeze-dried cortical bone pins as a secondary stabilizer in short Z bunionectomies. In addition, MRI studies were performed to evaluate the capacity of the cortical pins to incorporate into the surrounding bone tissue. A literature comparison is also made with the currently available synthetic absorbable pins. The advantages and disadvantages of these pins are discussed and compared with the results of the cortical bone pin study. Fifteen patients were included with a 6-month to 1-year postoperative follow-up. There were no obvious complications resulting from the use of the cortical pin. The pins performed well as a secondary stabilizer and incorporated with the patient's bone as proposed. The author concludes that the 2.4-mm freeze-dried cortical bone pin is a reasonable alternative to synthetic absorbable pins as applied within the parameters of the study.