How long should you leave the pins in the toes after hammertoe surgery? can they stay in permanently? (all five toes)?

Pins for correction of hammer toe are usually (always) out side of the digits for easier removal in 4-6 weeks. If the wires are buried ( beneath the skin) and are left in the digits I feel is only a time when they will need to be removed. This is called a K- wire. I am not aware of any new technology that allows for the metal to stay in the foot. Any foreign object should be avoided.