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The results of coraco-clavicular slings for acromio-clavicular dislocation
M Clayer1, J Slavotinek, J Krishnan
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia.
Background:
Treatment of type 3 acromio-clavicular (A-C) dislocations is controversial. There have been over 60 different surgical procedures as well as a variety of conservative measures used to treat this injury.
Methods:
The outcome of a coraco-clavicular (C-C) sling for grade 3-4 A-C dislocation was studied. A dissolvable sling of braided 1 polydioxanone (PDS, Ethicon) was used with or without excision of the distal end of the clavicle in six patients. The clinical and radiological outcome of the braid and acromio-clavicular joint were studied by clinical examination, plain and stress radiographs and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Results:
All patients reported good-excellent results from 6 months after surgery. Radiological examination demonstrated some superior clavicular migration in all patients within 1 month of the procedure, although never more than that seen with a grade 2 dislocation. This migration was clinically evident only in patients with a thin build. At 1 month, the MRI demonstrated partial replacement of the braid by granulation tissue. From 6 months on, the braid was absent and fibrous tissue was noted between the coracoid and the clavicle and the acromion and clavicle.
Conclusions:
The coraco-clavicular sling did not maintain operative reduction of the dislocated clavicle. This did not diminish the functional result but was a cosmetic complication in patients with a thin build.