Therapeutic results of the modified Cadenat procedure for acromioclavicular joint separations compared with the modified Dewar procedure.

AIM AND BACKGROUND The surgical treatment for acromioclavicular joint dislocations is recommended for Rockwood's classification types 4, 5 and 6. In this study we evaluate the therapeutic results of the modified Cadenat procedure on type 5 acromioclavicular joint dislocation, and report on a comparative study of the modified Dewar procedure also on type 5 acromioclavicular joint dislocation. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The modified Cadenat procedure was performed on 73 patients (66 males and 7 females, group C). The mean age at the time of the surgery was 35.4 years. On the other hand, the modified Dewar procedure was performed on 55 patients (51 males and 4 females, group D). The mean age at the time of the surgery was 34.5 years. RESULTS The mean therapeutic results were 28.2 points in group C and 27.3 in group D according to the UCLA scoring system. In group C, the subluxation that represented less than 5 mm superior translation of the clavicle, occurred only in 18 of 73 patients. Meanwhile, in group D, the subluxation that represented less than 5 mm, occurred only in 14; that which represented 5 to 10 mm was in seven patients, and the complete dislocation occurred in three patients. Also, the occurrence of osteoarthritic changes in the acromioclavicular joint was nine patients in group C and 20 in group D, respectively. CONCLUSION The modified Cadenat procedure could provide satisfactory therapeutic results and avoid postoperative failure of reduction compared to the modified Dewar procedure. However the modified Cadenat procedure does not aim to restore the anatomical coracoclavicular ligaments. It is believed that anatomic restoration of both coracoclavicular ligaments could best restore the function of the acromioclavicular joint.