Repair of sternoclavicular joint dislocations with FiberWire®.

Abstract

Up to 50% of traumatic sternoclavicular joint (SCJ) dislocations need open reduction and fixation to prevent long-term complications and complaints. We present our preferred surgical approach for acute as well as chronic SCJ dislocations, including their outcome. Five consecutive male patients with a median age of 27 (range 20-49) were treated for traumatic anterior (n = 2) or posterior (n = 3) SCJ dislocation. Open reduction and surgical fixation were achieved by a modified figure-of-eight sutures using Fiberwire®. In anterior dislocations, an additional reconstruction of the costoclavicular ligament was performed. Median follow-up was 11 months (range 9-48) and included clinical evaluation and the use of the DASH questionnaire. Open surgical reduction and SCJ repair were successfully achieved in all patients without complications. Repair resulted in very good functional outcomes in all five patients with DASH scores of 0, 8 (n = 3) and 5, 8 (n = 2), respectively. The presented technique allowed simple, effective, and durable repair of the SCJ joint in patients with SCJ dislocations with excellent functional outcomes.