title: Resorbable poly-L-lactic acid mini-staples for the fixation of Akin osteotomies.
abstract: The authors present a new fixation system constituted by reabsorbable mini-staples in poly-L-lactic acid, the use of which is proposed for Akin osteotomies. An initial cohort of 25 cases (23 patients), with a mean follow-up of 16 months (minimum 6 months, maximum 30 months) is presented. In 24 cases union of the osteotomy was found within 30 days of the surgical treatment; however, in one case it took longer (12 weeks). Neither pseudoarthrosis, malunion, nor breakage of the mini-staples was found. No adverse tissue reactions were observed. In all cases good deformity correction was achieved, with patient satisfaction reported in about 96% of the cases. In this type of surgery and in selected cases (without osteoporosis and/or severe arthritis of the first metatarsophalangeal joint), this fixation device is an interesting alternative to the traditional nonabsorbable types.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Institute of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, University of Modena, Italy.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Barca
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Busa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006215:Hallux Valgus / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D019344:Lactic Acid; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D017792:Surgical Stapling / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D011091:Polyesters; D011108:Polymers; D019344:Lactic Acid; C033616:poly(lactide)