ACROMIOCLAVICULAR RECONSTRUCTION AUGMENTE D WITH POLYDIOXYANONE-SULFATE BANDS

From 1986 to 1994, we treated 79 patients with acute acromioclavicular separations by surgical reconstruction. According to the classificati on of Rockwood and Matsen, 65 patients had type III lesions, 1 patient had a type IV lesion and 13 patients had type V lesions. Both the cor acoclavicular ligaments and the ligaments of the acromioclavicular joi nt were reconstructed. An additional ligamentous augmentation was perf ormed using completely resorbable 5- and 10-mm polydioxanone-sulphate bands. Fifty-five patients (70%) were reexamined 1-7.5 years after sur gery (mean 28 months). The results were good to excellent in 50 cases (90%). Fifty-two patients (93%) achieved a range of motion with an abd uction deficit of less than 20 degrees. Calcifications in the area of the coracoclavicular ligaments did not affect the final range of motio n. Early complications consisted of a subcutaneous infection, one deep infection, and one reconstruction failure. Late complications consist ed of a redislocation in 2 patients and symptomatic post-traumatic art hritis of the joint in 3 cases. Augmenting the reconstruction with pol ydioxyanone-sulphate bands allowed early functional postoperative trea tment. With this procedure, patients do not require removal of the imp lant, and complications from breakage or migration of metal implants a re avoided.