Results of Scarf Osteotomy Without Implant Fixation in the Treatment of Hallux Valgus

Background: The main goal of the study was to evaluate the costs, clinical and radiologic results, and complications of hallux valgus surgery using scarf osteotomy, depending on the type of fixation (with or without screws). Methods: We evaluated 169 patients who underwent scarf osteotomy between January 2013 and August 2016. The patients were separated into 3 groups depending on the type of stabilization: A, 2 screws (50 patients); B, modified with 1 screw (55 patients); C, modified without implant (64 patients). We assessed duration of surgery, additional procedures, pre- and postoperative hallux valgus angle (HVA) and intermetatarsal angle (IMA) on anteroposterior and lateral foot weightbearing radiographs, the American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society (AOFAS) hallux-metatarsophalangeal-interphalangeal scale for the clinical assessment preoperatively and at the 12-month follow-up. We recorded all the complications and compared the costs between the groups. Results: Both the average HVA (A: from 33.7 to 12.6 degrees, B: 35.0 to 13.2 degrees, C: 34.7 to 12.4 degrees) and IMA (A: from 14.9 to 7.5 degrees, B: 15.2 to 6.9 degrees, C: 15.5 to 7.8 degrees) decreased in all groups without significant intergroup differences. The average AOFAS score improved in all the groups (A: from 40 to 88 points, B: 38 to 89 points, C: 42 to 91 points). A similar complication rate was observed (A: 9%, B: 10%, C: 11%). In group C, we noted a shorter time of surgery, and the procedure was the most cost-effective. Conclusion: Scarf osteotomy without implant stabilization was faster and cost-effective and gave comparable results. It was technically demanding and required patient compliance. Level of Evidence: Level III, retrospective comparative study.