Direct Plantar Approach to Plantar Plate Repair and Associated Wound Complications
Authors: Sharpe B. Dale , Ebaugh M. P. , Prissel Mark A. , Hyer Christopher F. , Philbin Terrence M. , Berlet Gregory C. , Goss David A. 
Published: November 2020

Category:

Lesser Toes

Introduction/Purpose:

Lesser toe metatarsophalangeal joint instability, secondary to plantar plate tear, has been the focus of numerous recent publications, majority reporting on repair through a dorsal approach. A plantar approach has been described with the advantage of direct ligamentous repair or repair to bone, which follows conventional techniques employed throughout the body. Previous clinical studies have shown success in deformity correction and longevity of both approaches. The proponents of the dorsal approach advocate that indirect repair of the plantar plate avoids perceived risks of complications with a plantar incision, without evidence of superior outcomes. The purpose of this study was to investigate the safety and efficacy of direct plantar approach to plantar plate repairs by reporting the rate of specific complications in a large clinical series.

Methods:

This was an IRB approved retrospective study of 204 plantar plate repairs, in 185 patients, (194 lesser MTP, 10 hallux MTP) with average age of 56 and mean BMI of 28. Surgical technique involved repair with absorbable braided suture (88%) versus suture anchor (12%) with or without MTPJ pinning (80%). Mean follow up was 53 weeks (range 5-170). Patients were screened for associated risk factors including diabetes mellitus (8%), tobacco use (5%), neuropathy (1%) and additional concurrent procedures (96%). Complications were defined as superficial or deep infection, painful scar, and reoperation. Analysis was conducted by using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test or Fisher’s exact tests for continuous and categorical variables, respectively. Risk factors were analyzed using univariate logistic analysis to produce odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) and an inclusion criterion of a p-value > 0.2 for multivariate analysis as determined by Wald tests (significance at p<0.05 for final modeling).

Results:

Overall, there were 31 total complications (15%) demonstrated by 14 superficial infections (6.8%) and 17 painful scars (8.3%) along with three reoperations (1.4%). All reoperations were performed for deformity or instability, not scar revision. There were no deep infections. No increased odds of complications were found with suture anchor repair, MTPJ pinning, neuropathy, or diabetes. Patients that used tobacco had 7.5 (CI 1.66- 34.06) the odds of developing any wound complication compared with nonsmokers. Tobacco use was also found to significantly increase the odds for superficial infection by 9.8 (CI 2.08 - 46.15). There was no increase in painful scar or reoperation in tobacco users. This study did not find an increased complication rate with additional ipsilateral procedures performed at the time of surgery.

Conclusion:

To our knowledge, this is the largest study evaluating the direct plantar approach to plantar plate repair, as well as the evaluation of associated complications with the plantar incision. With low complication and minimal reoperation rates, the results of this study have demonstrated the clinical viability of plantar based incisions. Previous studies have demonstrated the success of plantar plate repair and correction of deformity with a direct approach. This case series further demonstrates the safety and efficacy of plantar based incisions, particularly for direct plantar plate repairs.