Updated: 5/8/2018

Distal Chevron Osteotomy

TECHNIQUE STEPS
Preoperative Patient Care
Operative Techniques
E

Preoperative Plan

1

Template osteotomy with radiographs

2

Execute surgical walkthrough

  • describe the steps of the procedure verbally to the attending prior to the start of the case
  • describe potential complications and steps to avoid them
F

Room Preparation

1

Surgical instrumentation

  • MTP plating system

2

Room setup and equipment

  • standard OR table with radiolucent end

3

Patient positioning

  • supine position with a bump under the ipsilateral buttock
G

Lateral Soft Tissue Release

1

Mark a dorsal incision over the first web space

  • the incision should be 3 cm over the 1st webspace
  • continue with blunt dissection

2

Expose the first webspace

  • place a lamina spreader and Langenbeck retractor to expose the first webspace

3

Open the lateral capsule

  • divide the lateral joint capsule superior to the lateral sesamoid
  • place one or two sutures between the lateral capsule of the 1st MTP joint and the periosteum of the second metatarsal
H

Joint Exposure

P

1

Make the second incision

  • externally rotate the leg
  • make a second incision at the medial aspect of the first MTP joint
Pearls
  • Add bolster to help internally rotate leg.
  • Have resident hold.

2

Identify neurovascular structures

  • identify and protect the dorsomedial nerve

3

Expose the joint capsule

  • open the medial MTP joint capsule with an inverted L type incision

4

Inspect the joint for degenerative changes

I

Metatarsal Head Preparation

1

Place retractors in appropriate position

  • expose the metatarsal head and place hohmann retractors dorsal and plantar just extraarticular of the first MTP joint
  • the plantar hohmann retractor protects the plantar artery to the metatarsal head
  • the dorsal retractor protects the dorsal inrta-articular blood supply that originates from the capsule

2

Create a plane surface

  • shave the medial eminence to achieve a plane surface
  • preserve as much metatarsal head as possible
J

Osteotomy

1

Place K-wire

  • drill a 1.0 mm K wire slightly dorsal to the center of the exposed medial eminence
  • incline the wire 20 degrees from medial to lateral aiming the wire at the 4th metatarsal

2

Perform the osteotomy

  • use the saw guide to make two cuts with an oscillating power saw so that they cuts form a 60 degree angle proximal to the drill hole
K

Final Fixation

1

Reduce the metatarsal shaft

  • use a towel clip to pull the metatarsal shaft medially while at the same time push the metatarsal head laterally with the help of the thumb of the other hand

2

Place a guidewire for cannulated screw insertion

  • insert a guidewire for a cannulated charlotte multiuse compression screw from the distal dorsal metatarsal shaft obliquely to the lateral plantar of the metatarsal head

3

Check the position of the osteotomy with a C arm

4

Measure the length of the screw with a cannulated depth gauge

5

Insert the screw

L

Capsule Closure

1

Excise the medial eminence in line with the metatarsal shaft

  • be careful for soft tissue

2

Close the capsule

  • place the great toe in a slightly overcorrected position and repair the medial joint capsule with U typed sutures and tighten the first webspace sutures
N

Wound Closure

1

Irrigation and Hemostasis

  • copiously irrigate the wound

2

Superficial wound closure

  • use 3-0 vicryl for subcutaneous tissue
  • use 3-0 monocryl for skin

3

Dressing

  • wrap the foot in a gauze and tape compression dressing after surgery
  • place in OFA Rathgerber shoe
  • continue for 4 weeks
Postoperative Patient Care
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