Double-loop suture repair for acute acromioclavicular joint disruption.
BACKGROUND
Although it has been established that surgical treatment for acromioclavicular joint disruption (types IV-VI and type III in overhead throwing athletes and heavy laborers) is preferred, the literature is inconclusive about the best type of surgery.


OBJECTIVE
With the goal of avoiding the potential complications of hardware use, the authors present a coracoclavicular functional stabilization technique with the intention to restore the anteroposterior and superior displacement of the clavicle.


METHODS
Case series; Level of evidence, 4.


METHODS
From 1999 to 2003, 38 patients with an acute, complete acromioclavicular joint separation (34 men, 4 women; mean age, 33.5 years) underwent surgical reconstruction with the described coracoclavicular loop stabilization technique. With this technique, the superior and anteroposterior displacement of the clavicle can be easily controlled using 2 pairs of Ethibond No. 5 nonabsorbable sutures-one passed in front and the other behind the clavicle, through a central drill hole, 2 cm from its lateral end, directly above the base of the coracoid process (at the corresponded attachment of coracoclavicular ligaments). Passive shoulder motion was encouraged by the second postoperative day.


RESULTS
Thirty-four patients were available for the last clinical and radiologic evaluation. At a mean follow-up of 33.2 months (range, 18-59 months), the mean Constant-Murley score was 93.5 points (range, 73-100 points), and 2 cases with slight loss of reduction (less than half of the width of the clavicle) were detected. Complications included 1 case with superficial infection and 1 patient (basketball player) with persistent tenderness in the acromioclavicular joint without signs of secondary arthritis. The incidence of periarticular ossification was 17.6% and did not affect the final outcome. Secondary degenerative changes were not detected.


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the nearly anatomical reconstruction, the avoidance of hardware complications, and the low rate of recurrence, this technique may be an attractive alternative to the management of acute acromioclavicular joint separations.
Orthopaedic Clinic, Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Patras, Greece.
Panayotis
P
Dimakopoulos
Andreas
A
Panagopoulos
Spyros A
SA
Syggelos
Elias
E
Panagiotopoulos
Elias
E
Lambiris
D000173:Acromioclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D011859:Radiography; D013536:Suture Techniques