OBJECTIVETo explore operative method for the treatment of double injuries of superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC).

METHODSFrom January 2008 to March 2010,11 patients wiht SSSC injuries were treated, including 9 males and 2 females with an average age of 38 years (ranged from 20 to 47 years). The patients were treated with 4 methods as follows: 4 patients with fractures of neck of scapula combined with homolateral fracture of clavicle were treated with reconstituted plates; 2 patients with fractures of coracoid process or disruption of coracoclavicular ligament combined with the fracture of extremitas acromialis claviculae or acromioclavicular dislocation were treated with clavicular hook plates and cannulated compression screws; 3 patients with injuries of basilar part of acromial process combined with the glenoid cavity and acromioclavicular articulation were treated with reconstuction plates and clavicular hook plates; 2 patients with fractures of acromial process combined with acromioclavicular dislocation and the fracture of lateral third of clavicle were treated with small "T" plates and clavicular hook plates.

RESULTSAmong 11 patients, 9 patients were followed up with an average duration of 9.2 months (ranged from 6 to 12 months). All the fractures were healed without bone nonunion or failure of internal fixators. The average union time was 2.6 months. The profile of articulatio capitis humeri was normal and hibateral articulatio capitis humeri was symmetrical without crispation, descensus, adduct and adtorsion of articulatio capitis humeri or other abnormity. According to the Constant-Murley evaluation system, the score ranged from 69 to 100, with an average of 89.7, which included average pain score of 10 to 15, daily activities score of 14 to 20, myodynamia score of 15 to 25, territory score of 34 to 40.

CONCLUSIONThe double injuries of SSSC should be treated by types to recover the integrity and constancy of SSSC.