Assessment of Conduit-Assisted Primary Nerve Repair Strength With Varying Suture Size, Number, and Location.

Background: Outcomes following digital nerve repair are suboptimal despite much research and various methods of repair. Increased tensile strength of the repair and decreased suture material at the repair site may be 2 methods of improving biologic and biomechanical outcomes, and conduit-assisted repair can aid in achieving both of these goals. Methods: Ninety-nine fresh-frozen digital nerves were equally divided into 11 different groups. Each group uses a different combination of number of sutures at the coaptation site and number of sutures at each end of the nerve-conduit junction, as well as 2 calibers of nylon suture. Nerves were transected, repaired with these various suture configurations using an AxoGuard conduit, and loaded to failure. Results: The 2-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that repairs performed with 8-0 suture have significantly higher maximum failure load compared with 9-0 suture repairs (P < .01). Increasing the number of sutures in the repair significantly increased the maximum failure load in all groups regardless of suture caliber used (P < .01). Repairs with 9-0 suture at the coaptation site did not jeopardize repair strength when compared with 8-0 suture. Conclusions: Conduit-assisted primary digital nerve repairs with 8-0 suture increases the maximum load to failure compared with repairs with 9-0 suture, as does increasing the overall number of sutures. Using 9-0 suture at the coaptation site with 8-0 suture at the nerve-conduit junction does not jeopardize tensile strength when compared with similar repairs using all 8-0 suture and may decrease inflammation at the repair site while still achieving sufficient tensile strength.

Intraosseous Sliding Plate Fixation Used in Double Osteotomy Bunionectomy.

BACKGROUND:: Distal chevron metatarsal osteotomy bunionectomy is a commonly performed procedure for the treatment of mild to moderate hallux valgus. We continue to use the intraosseous sliding osteotomy plate system for fixation of the distal metatarsal osteotomy. With the addition of the Akin osteotomy, we are able to obtain reliable, reproducible correction with better cosmesis and increased patient satisfaction for more advanced deformities. METHODS:: We prospectively evaluated 138 (145 feet) consecutive patients who underwent double osteotomy bunionectomy using the intramedullary plate system and 3.2-mm cannulated screw system. The senior author performed all operative procedures. Patients were evaluated preoperatively, postoperatively, and at the final follow-up using the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) forefoot scoring system. RESULTS:: All osteotomy sites of operatively corrected feet healed. There were no hardware failures. A small number of patients complained of stiffness and pain related to the hardware. All patients dramatically improved their AOFAS scores compared with preoperative values. The hallux valgus angle was corrected by a mean of 17.3 degrees (range, 10 to 20 degrees), and the intermetatarsal angle was corrected by a mean of 6.8 degrees (range, 5 to 9 degrees). CONCLUSION:: Chevron osteotomy paired with an Akin osteotomy (double osteotomy bunionectomy) resulted in excellent function and pain relief. We continue to recommend the use of the intramedullary plate system and 3.2-mm cannulated screw system because of its low profile, reliability of fixation, and relative ease of use. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:: Level III, retrospective comparative series.