Impact of Using an Original Guiding Device on Operative Time and Radiation Exposure in Minimally Invasive Hallux Valgus Correction

Minimally invasive corrective osteotomy for hallux valgus is a high-tech procedure, with certain stages potentially being time-consuming and requiring intraoperative fluoroscopic guidance. The aim of the study was to evaluate the impact of the use of an original guiding device on duration of the minimally invasive corrective osteotomy of the first metatarsal bone and the amount of radiation exposure during the surgical procedure. Material and Methods. The study included 42 patients with hallux valgus, divided into two groups. All patients underwent surgery using a minimally invasive technique. The study group consisted of 21 patients who underwent osteotomy with the use of the original guide. The comparison group included 21 patients who underwent osteotomy without the guide. At the end of the procedure, the duration of the surgery and the radiation dose—measured using the image intensifier sensors—were recorded. Results. The median duration of surgery in the study group was 25.00 minutes [25.00; 30.00], while in the comparison group it was 45.00 minutes [40.00; 57.50]. The observed differences were statistically significant (p 0.001). The mean radiation dose was 0.30 ± 0.06 mGy in the group where the guide was used, and 0.79 ± 0.20 mGy in the group where guidewires for screws were inserted freehand. The mean difference between the groups for this parameter was 0.49 mGy (95% CI 0.39–0.58 mGy), p 0.001. Pain intensity assessed by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 2, 4, and 8 weeks, and at 6 months postoperatively, was lower in patients who underwent surgery with the guide (p 0.05 for all time points). Conclusion. The use of the original guiding device in minimally invasive corrective surgery for hallux valgusdeformity significantly reduced operative time and radiation exposure for both the patient and the surgeon.