Comparison between open and arthroscopic procedures for lateral clavicle resection.

Area of Science:

• Orthopedic Surgery
• Sports Medicine
• Shoulder Arthroscopy

Background:

• Lateral clavicle resection (LCR) is a surgical procedure to address shoulder pain.
• Both open and arthroscopic approaches are utilized, but comparative effectiveness is not well-established.
• Acromioclavicular joint pain is a common indication for LCR.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare patient function and pain levels between open and arthroscopic LCR.
• To evaluate operative time, complications, and hospitalization length for both surgical methods.
• To determine the preferred surgical approach for LCR based on clinical outcomes.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective review of patients undergoing LCR between 2008 and 2011.
• 149 shoulders (143 patients) were analyzed: 41 open and 108 arthroscopic.
• Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores assessed function and pain.

Main Results:

• Open LCR showed significantly less pain (VAS) at 3-year follow-up compared to arthroscopic LCR (p=0.036).
• Operative time was significantly shorter for the open approach (p<0.001).
• No significant differences in DASH scores, complication rates, or hospitalization length were observed.

Conclusions:

• Both open and arthroscopic LCR yield excellent outcomes for acromioclavicular pain.
• The open approach demonstrates advantages in reduced residual pain and shorter operative time.
• Open LCR may be more cost-effective due to its efficiency.