Comparative study on treating complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint with three different methods

Abstract

Objective: To comparatively study complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint treated with three different methods. Methods: A total of 96 patients (81 males and 15 females, aged 16-59 years, mean = 45 years) with complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint were treated with Dewar's operation (Group A, n = 32) , internal fixation with Kirschner tension band wires (Group B, n = 44), or internal fixation with Wolter plates (Group C, n = 20), respectively, in this study. Eighty-five patients suffered from acute dislocations and eleven from chronic dislocations. Results: The patients were followed up for 50 months on an average. According to Karlsson's standard, in Group A, 26 patients were assessed as good, 5 as fair and 1 as poor. In Group B, 20 patients were assessed as good, 13 as fair and 11 as poor. In Group C, 15 patients were assessed as good, 4 as fair and 1 as poor. The good and fair rates were significantly different between Group A and Group B, and between Group C and Group B, but no statistical difference was found between Group A and Group C. The operating time was (52.36 ± 7.24) minutes, (67.43 ± 8.11) minutes and (69.73 ± 8.04) minutes in Groups A, B and C, respectively. And the hospitalizing fees were (2 400 ± 270 yuan, (2 100 ± 190) yuan and (8 450 ± 360) yuan in Groups A, B and C, respectively. Conclusions: Dewar's operation is a good and safe method with shorter operating time and lower hospitalizing fee for treating complete dislocation of acromioclavicular joint. The method is simple without the need of a second operation to remove the implants and with few complications.