Comparison of hook plate with versus without double-tunnel coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction for repair of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocations: A prospective randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

PurposeThis study was designed to compare the surgical outcomes of a hook plate with double-tunnel coracoclavicular (CC) ligament reconstruction by conjoined tendon transfer versus single hook plate surgery for the repair of acute type of Rockwood type III and V acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations. MethodsThe study cohort included 62 patients with acute (within 6 weeks after trauma) Rockwood type III and V AC joint dislocations who underwent surgery from February 2012 to September 2015. The patients were randomly allocated to the ligament reconstruction group (LR group, n = 31) or the single hook plate group (HP group, n = 31). In both groups, reduction of the AC joint by hook plate and repair of the ruptured AC ligament with absorbable Vicryl sutures were performed homoplastically. The lateral half of the short tendon of the biceps brachii muscle and the lateral half of the flexor tendon were used to reconstruct the trapezoid and conoid ligaments, respectively. Differences in surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, and total cost were compared between the two groups. Furthermore, the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue score (VAS), postoperative American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons (ASES) score, Constant–Murley score (CMS), Karlsson score, complication rates, and patient satisfaction at the last follow-up were compared to evaluate the curative effects of the surgical treatments. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after hook plate removal was used to evaluate the reconstructed ligaments and tendon-bone interface. ResultsIn total, 25 patients in the LR group and 26 in the HP group completed the follow-up. There were no statistically significant differences in age, sex, Rockwood type, placing time, total cost, and follow-up duration between the LR and HP groups (p > 0.05). However, as compared with the HP group, the surgical duration and incision length were longer in the LR group (92.08 ± 19.25 vs. 56.54 ± 21.29 min and 13.64 ± 0.90 vs. 6.65 ± 1.01 cm, respectively, p < 0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in preoperative VAS scores, but the postoperative VAS score was lower in LR group than in the HP group (2.52 ± 1.19 vs. 4.12 ± 1.45, respectively, p < 0.05). Moreover, patients in LR group had a remarkable higher CMS and ASES score (89.56 ± 2.80 vs. 79.31 ± 4.97 and 92.60 ± 2.79 vs. 82.35 ± 3.44, respectively, p < 0.05). The overall excellent or good result rate, as evaluated by the Karlsson score, was 92.00% (23/25) and 50.00% (13/26), respectively (p < 0.05). MRI findings revealed good condition of the reconstructed ligaments and tendon-bone interface. The incidence of complications was lower and the satisfaction rate was higher in the LR group than in the HP group (1/25 vs. 16/26 and 23/25 vs. 14/26, respectively, p < 0.05). ConclusionsThe overall surgical effect of the use of a hook plate combined with double-tunnel CC ligament reconstruction is superior to single hook plate surgery for the repair of acute Rockwood type III and V AC joint dislocations.