OBJECTIVETo study the clinical outcome and complications of Tightrope button plate for repairing acromioclavicular dislocation of Rockwood type III to V.

METHODSFrom May 2014 to December 2016, 17 patients with acromioclavicular dislocation of type III-V were treated with Tightrope button plate including 10 males and 7 females with an average age 39.8 years old ranging from 20 to 68 years old. Four patients were treated with arthroscopy and 17 patients were treated with mini-invasive by X-ray assisted. Shoulder function, X-ray and complications after operation were assessed.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 5 to 23 months with a mean of 10.8 months. All patients got satisfying reduction immediately postoperatively. Among them, 1 case of clavicle end wound foreign body reaction, rupture, effusion, healing after the second suture; 1 case of foreign body granuloma formation at the end of clavicle were resected and removed at 4 months after operation; 3 cases loss reduction(less than 50% of acromioclavicular joint). No coracoid fracture and suture breakage observed. The shoulder mobility was restored in 15 cases at 4 to 6 weeks postoperatively, and the shoulder adhesion in 2 cases was delayed to 5 to 7 months after operation. The Constant scores were improved from 46.9±6.0 preoperatively to 92.7±4.0 at the final follow-up. X-ray evaluation of postoperative coracoclavicular tunnel location, patients' coracoclavicular tunnel with mini-invasive fluoroscopy all closed to the ideal position (across the clavicle vertically through the coracoid base center), while different degree of tunnel position deviation were observed in arthroscopic patients.

CONCLUSIONSTightrope button plate for the treatment of acromioclavicular joint dislocation had advantages of minimally invasive, effective, good clinical results, the majority of common complications does not affect efficacy. Small incision X-ray method can provide more satisfactory and reliable tunnel location.