Category: Bunion; Other Introduction/Purpose: Minimally Invasive Chevron and Akin (MICA) surgery is growing in popularity. There are now multiple studies comparing minimally invasive bunion correction to traditional open techniques. Many of these studies include percutaneous lateral soft tissue release using a specific blade, while others use an open technique. To our knowledge, there is no prior study confirming the accuracy of soft tissue release via percutaneous technique. Our objective was to evaluate the precision of the percutaneous release, both the structures released and percent release. Additionally, we identified adjacent nerves potentially at risk with a lateral soft tissue release, measuring their proximity to the incision and if they were damaged. Methods: Sixteen fresh frozen cadaveric foot specimens (8 paired limbs) underwent percutaneous lateral release utilizing a beaver blade under fluoroscopic guidance by two Foot and Ankle Fellowship Faculty who regularly perform the procedure. As described in early MICA technique papers by Redfern and Vernois, the blade was inserted into the plantar plate between the lateral sesamoid and the proximal phalanx. Then the blade was rotated laterally while the hallux was directed into varus. The goal was to release the lateral head of the Flexor Hallucis Brevis (FHB) without violating the Lateral Collateral Ligament (LCL). During our experiment the sesamoids were able to be successfully reduced after each release. The specimens were then dissected to reveal the extent of release of the FHB and LCL. Distance was measured between the blade path and the dorsal digital branch of the deep peroneal nerve, as well as the plantar digital nerve. Results: The FHB was at least partially released in 15/16 specimens. It was completely released in two specimens. 5/16 specimens had greater than 50% but less than 100% release and 8/16 specimens had
