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Updated: Jul 24, 2026
An Anatomical Study of Nerves at Risk During Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Surgery
Published on: February 17, 2018
Open vs Minimally Invasive Resection of the First Metatarsocuneiform Joint: An Anatomical Study
Sebastian Schilde1, Dariusch Arbab2, Maria Felsberg1
1Department of Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle, Germany.
Background:
The modified Lapidus arthrodesis is a standard procedure to correct middle to severe hallux valgus (HV) deformities. Recently, minimally invasive techniques of first metatarsocuneiform joint (MCJ) resection using a Shannon burr were described. The primary goal of this study is to compare the anatomical efficacy and safety of first MCJ resection using a straight 2 × 13-mm Shannon burr and minimally invasive technique (MIS) vs an open technique using an oscillating saw.
Methods:
Ten pairs of fresh frozen cadaveric feet were randomly assigned to open or MIS first MCJ resection with subsequent systematic dissection. For the MIS procedure, a dorsomedial approach was used and for the open procedure a medioplantar approach was used. Cartilage removal was investigated by analyzing standardized scaled photographs of the resected articular surfaces with ImageJ software. Nearby structures at risk were analyzed for iatrogenic violation: tibialis anterior (TA), extensor hallucis longus (EHL) and peroneus longus (PL) tendons, and the Lisfranc ligament complex (LLC).
Results:
In the MIS group, the median cartilage resection was 85.9% at the cuneiform and 85.6% at the metatarsal bone compared to 100% cartilage resection in open technique (P < .01). Iatrogenic damage of the LLC, EHL, and TA tendons was not found in any group. The PL tendon was thinned out (<25% of tendon thickness) in 4 cases (40%) in the open group and in 1 case (10%) in the MIS group. A safe zone of 3.0 mm between the articular surface of the cuneiform bone and the LLC was identified, which can be resected without putting the LLC at risk when performing lateral-based wedge resections.
Conclusion:
In this cadaver study with the procedures performed by an experienced foot and ankle surgeon, and using 2 different surgical approaches, we found general parity between the Shannon burr MIS technique vs oscillating saw open technique techniques with more risk to the PL with our open technique and approximately 15% less cartilage resection with our MIS technique.
Level Of Evidence:
Level V, cadaver study.
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