Minimally invasive procedure of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation: one suture-button device versus two suture-button devices.

The purpose of this study was to assess the clinical results of patients treated with either one suture-button device or two suture-button devices for acute acromioclavicular (AC) joint dislocations. Eighty patients were randomized to operative stabilization either by one suture-button device (OSB, 40) or by two suture-button devices (TSB, 40). Postoperative complications, the Constant, VAS and SST scores, patient subjective satisfaction result were reviewed. The total incidence of complications was similar in both groups (16/40 vs. 17/40, P =0 .820). There were no significant differences in the length of hospitalization, the Constant, VAS and SST scores, and the ability to return to previous work between the two groups. However, the patients of TSB group had longer incision length, more blood loss, more operative and radiation time and more hospitalization costs (P < 0.01). The radiological evaluation showed no significant difference in the CC distance between the two groups (P = 0.557). Our results indicated that one suture-button device could achieve the same good radiological and clinical results as two suture-button devices did.