title: Comparison of Short-term Complications Between 2 Methods of Coracoclavicular Ligament Reconstruction: A Multicenter Study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Numerous techniques have been used to treat acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocation, with anatomic reconstruction of the coracoclavicular (CC) ligaments becoming a popular method of fixation. Anatomic CC ligament reconstruction is commonly performed with cortical fixation buttons (CFBs) or tendon grafts (TGs).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To report and compare short-term complications associated with AC joint stabilization procedures using CFBs or TGs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a retrospective review of the operative treatment of AC joint injuries between April 2007 and January 2013 at 2 institutions. Thirty-eight patients who had undergone a procedure for AC joint instability were evaluated. In these 38 patients with a mean age of 36.2 years, 18 shoulders underwent fixation using the CFB technique and 20 shoulders underwent reconstruction using the TG technique.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The overall complication rate was 42.1% (16/38). There were 11 complications in the 18 patients in the CFB group (61.1%), including 7 construct failures resulting in a loss of reduction. The most common mode of failure was suture breakage (n = 3), followed by button migration (n = 2) and coracoid fracture (n = 2). There were 5 complications in the TG group (25%), including 3 cases of asymptomatic subluxation, 1 symptomatic suture granuloma, and 1 superficial infection. There were no instances of construct failure seen in TG fixations. CFB fixation was found to have a statistically significant increase in complications (P = .0243) and construct failure (P = .002) compared with TG fixation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CFB fixation was associated with a higher rate of failure and higher rate of early complications when compared with TG fixation.
authors: Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors: Lane N
authors: LN
authors: Rush
authors: Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors: Nicholas
authors: N
authors: Lake
authors: Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
authors: Eric C
authors: EC
authors: Stiefel
authors: Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
authors: Edward R
authors: ER
authors: Hobgood
authors: Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
authors: J Randall
authors: JR
authors: Ramsey
authors: Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors: Michael J
authors: MJ
authors: O'Brien
authors: Mississippi Sports Medicine and Orthopaedic Center, Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
authors: Larry D
authors: LD
authors: Field
authors: Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors: Felix H
authors: FH
authors: Savoie
keywords: AC joint; acromioclavicular joint; complications; coracoclavicular