[Hallux valgus. A prospective study of staple fixation in Mitchell's osteotomy]

Twenty-two feet (17 patients) with hallux valgus were operated with a distal osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone ad modum Hawkins, Mitchell and Hedrick (1945). Fixation of the osteotomy was achieved using two staples driven into the bone by a pneumatic stapler (3M). Postoperatively the patients were treated without plaster bandage in a heel-shoe for two weeks and then allowed full weight bearing. There were two superficial infections, but no deep ones. Within six weeks all the osteotomies had healed without any secondary dislocation. Two staples had to be removed in local anaesthesia after healing. Staple fixation gives adequate support during healing of the osteotomy and allows early mobilisation without the need of a plaster bandage.