Basal osteotomy of the fifth metatarsal with intermetatarsal pinning: a new approach to tailor's bunion.

The direct approach to the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint for the treatment of metatarsus quintus valgus often has been unsuccessful, mainly because of technical difficulties in the osteotomy of the narrow fifth metatarsal neck and the fixation of the unstable head fragment. Complications such as delayed union, nonunion, or recurrence have been reported. This paper describes a surgical technique for optimal correction of this deformity. The technique has a biomechanically sound fixation and a shortened bone healing time with minimum complications. Results of 12 patients presenting severe deformities are reported, with 1-year average follow-up.