Review of the effect of fixation on complication rate in the base wedge osteotomy.

The complications of elevation and shortening in the oblique closing base wedge osteotomy of the first metatarsal fixated with either a single AO screw or two 0.062 Kirschner wires were compared. Thirty-three consecutive oblique closing base wedge osteotomies of the first metatarsal bone are evaluated. With the exception of fixation, which is examined as an independent variable, the patients are managed identically with respect to osteotomy technique and postoperative care. The Reese osteotomy guide is used to normalize osteotomy configuration. The authors found no difference in elevation or shortening when comparing an AO screw with 0.062 Kirschner wire fixation. When other variables are controlled, fixation type does not lead to a statistical difference in elevation or shortening.