Fixation of the chevron osteotomy with an absorbable copolymer pin for treatment of hallux valgus deformity.

This study investigated the use of a bioabsorbable pin made of an oriented poly-L-lactic acid/polyglycolic acid (82:18 ratio) copolymer to fix distal chevron osteotomies in 15 patients (18 feet), with an average follow-up of 18 months. This material absorbs faster than poly-L-lactic acid and slower than poly-p-dioxanone, 2 bioabsorbable polymers that have a clinical history in fixation of distal chevron osteotomies. The average intermetatarsal angle significantly decreased from 11.9+/-1.7 degrees to 0.9+/-3.8 degrees (P < .001) while the average hallux valgus angle significantly decreased from 19.4+/-4.7 degrees to 6.2+/-6.4 degrees (P < .001). The preoperative American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society's hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal score averaged 44.6+/-15.1, which increased significantly to 87.4+/-14.9 (P < .001) postoperatively. In 1 procedure, a giant cell granuloma developed that was treated with debridement. Overall, these results were comparable to those derived from the use of other methods of fixation used for bunionectomies.