Modified Broström operation with absorbable sutures only: are suture anchors and nonabsorbable materials necessary?

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Ankle Instability Research

Background:

• Chronic lateral ankle instability is commonly treated with the modified Broström operation.
• Non-absorbable sutures, while standard, can lead to complications like inflammation.
• Absorbable sutures offer a potential alternative to mitigate these risks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the clinical outcomes of the modified Broström operation utilizing absorbable sutures.
• To determine the efficacy and safety of absorbable sutures in treating chronic lateral ankle instability.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 157 patients undergoing the modified Broström operation with absorbable sutures (2019-2023).
• Functional outcomes assessed using preoperative and postoperative AOFAS Ankle-Hindfoot and Karlsson-Peterson scores.

Main Results:

• Significant improvement in mean AOFAS scores (66.84 to 88.20) and Karlsson scores (53.67 to 82.29).
• Low recurrence rate of 6.3% and reoperation rate of 1.2%.
• Rare complications, including one superficial peroneal nerve injury and one deep infection.

Conclusions:

• The modified Broström operation with absorbable sutures provides favorable functional outcomes.
• This approach demonstrates a low rate of recurrence and complications, indicating its safety and effectiveness.