Cortical screws versus absorbable pins for fixation of the short Z-bunionectomy

Fifty-four Z-bunionectomies were performed on 43 patients. Twenty-nine osteotomies were fixated with Orthosorb pins, and 25 were fixated with a single 2.7-mm. cortical screw. Postoperative pain, edema, bone callus, and complications were evaluated for each fixation method. All patients were followed for more than 1 year. The incidence of metatarsal head dorsiflexion in screw fixated osteotomies was double that of Orthosorb. Radiographic evidence of pin tracts persisted beyond 1 year in about half the Orthosorb fixated osteotomies. The authors conclude that in properly selected patients, Orthosorb is as effective as a screw in fixating the osteotomy.