Abstract
The Scarf osteotomy has proven to be an effective intervention in the correction of various degrees of hallux valgus deformity. Outcome compares favourably with other bunion surgeries such as the distal or proximal Chevron or crescentic osteotomy. The Scarf osteotomy is a more extensive surgical procedure than other techniques and the technically demanding nature of the procedure requires experience to master. This paper describes peri-operative complications during our early experience of Scarf osteotomy for hallux valgus. A case note review was carried out for the first 100 Scarf osteotomy procedures completed by the senior author. There were six patients (6%) with peri-operative complications. Four of these were intra-operative complications including a split of the first metatarsal in three cases, and a shearing of the K wire in one case, and there were two cases of post-operative stress fracture. These complications should be considered by those beginning to master the Scarf osteotomy procedure and by surgeons teaching surgical trainees.
The abstracts were prepared by Mr J. L. Barrie. Correspondence should be addressed to Mr J. L. Barrie, BOFSS Editor, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Blackburn Royal Infirmary, Blackburn, Lancashire BB2 3LR.
