New horizons for minimally invasive treatment of acromioklavikular joint injuries,Neue Horizonte zur minimal-invasiven Versorgung von Akromioklavikulargelenkverletzungen

BACKGROUND: A novel radiation-free electromagnetic navigation system (ENS) method was developed and the feasibility and accuracy for transklavikular-transkorakoid drilling procedures were evaluated in an experimental setting.

METHODS: In this study ten arthroscopically assisted, electromagnetically navigated transkorakoid-transklavikular drilling procedures with subsequent implantation of two TightRope® (Arthrex, Naples, FL.) devices (anatomical reconstruction) were performed on five human cadavers. Postoperative computed tomography (CT) scan analysis was carried out to determine tunnel placement accuracy. All procedures were performed without fluoroscopy.

RESULTS: The mean overall operation time was 28.5 ± 6.6 min. Successful anatomical tunnel placement was achieved in 98.8 %. During the navigated drilling procedure no misguidance of the drill requiring directional readjustments or restarts occurred. No cortical breaches, fractures or complications occurred.

CONCLUSION: The electromagnetically navigated transkorakoid-transklavikular drilling procedure used in this study demonstrated high targeting accuracy, required no intraoperative x-ray radiation and was associated with no complications.