Fifth metatarsal head resection for correction of tailor's bunions and sub-fifth metatarsal head keratoma: a retrospective analysis.

A variety of surgical procedures traditionally have been employed in the treatment of tailor's bunions and sub-fifth metatarsal head keratomas. The overwhelming majority of literature on this subject evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of various fifth metatarsal osteotomies. The authors have initiated a preliminary investigative study to evaluate the effectiveness of fifth metatarsal head resection and to compare these results with those of other studies that have focused on osteotomy techniques. Subjective and objective analyses of 50 procedures (34 patients) were performed retrospectively. Patients were either satisfied or very satisfied in 84% of the cases reviewed. Symptomatic transfer lesions occurred in only 3% of all feet examined. The most frequent postoperative complication was that of fifth digital malalignment, which presented in nearly 60% of the cases. The procedure possesses advantages and disadvantages, which prior to this study, have been discussed in anecdotal fashion only.