Arthroscopic resection of the distal aspect of the clavicle with concomitant subacromial decompression.

BACKGROUND: Arthroscopic subacromial decompression and arthroscopic resection of the acromioclavicular joint as separate procedures have been well documented. However, there is little information on the success rate of resection with concomitant decompression. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated the results of a consecutive group of patients who underwent arthroscopic resection of the acromioclavicular joint with concomitant subacromial decompression. METHODS: We evaluated the surgical results in thirty-one consecutive patients (thirty-two shoulders) with acromioclavicular pathology with concomitant subacromial impingement. The mean age of the patients at the time of surgery was thirty-six years (range, eighteen to sixty-seven years). Twenty-five patients, including four professional athletes, were actively involved in sports activities. The mean duration of follow-up was four years and ten months (range, three to eight years). The follow-up examination included clinical evaluation, chart review, radiographic analysis, and isokinetic testing of both upper extremities. RESULTS: Of the twenty-five patients who participated in sports, twenty-two (including the four professional athletes) returned to their previous level of sports activity. Twenty-six patients had no pain, three reported mild pain on strenuous repetitive overhead activity, two (both weight-lifters) had occasional pain in the acromioclavicular joint and the lateral aspect of the shoulder with bench-pressing, and two (both baseball players) had mild pain in the posterior aspect of the shoulder with throwing. All of the patients were satisfied with the results. In the absence of a complete rotator cuff tear, isokinetic strength-testing of both upper extremities failed to demonstrate any weakness of the involved shoulder. The mean functional score for individual activities was 2.7 points (range, 2.1 to 3.0 points) preoperatively and 3.9 points (range, 3.6 to 4.0 points) postoperatively (p = 0.0001). No patient had superior migration of the clavicle. The amount of distal clavicular resection averaged 9 mm (range, 7 to 15 mm). One patient had heterotopic ossification at the resection site, with mild pain on direct palpation of the acromioclavicular joint and on strenuous overhead activity. Five patients had calcification at the anterior deltoid insertion into the acromion that was asymptomatic, with no impingement on overhead activity and no pain on direct palpation. CONCLUSIONS: We found excellent results with arthroscopic resection of the acromioclavicular joint and concomitant subacromial decompression. When this procedure is performed on properly selected patients, the results are similar to those of an open approach.

Symptomatic thrower's exostosis. Arthroscopic evaluation and treatment.

A long-term follow-up was performed on 22 patients treated for a posterior glenoid osteophyte and symptomatic posterior shoulder pain during either the late cocking, acceleration, or follow-through phases of throwing. Arthroscopic evaluation of these patients revealed undersurface tearing of the rotator cuff in all but one. Fifteen patients also had tearing of the posterior labrum. Anterior labral fraying was noted in four patients. Treatment consisted of debridement of the rotator cuff and labral tears. The posterior glenoid osteophyte was removed arthroscopically in 11 patients. Eighteen of 22 throwers treated were available for long-term follow-up at a mean of 6.3 years (range, 1 to 12). Only 10 of 18 (55%) throwers evaluated had returned to their premorbid level of throwing. All 10 were asymptomatic and had maintained a high level of performance for a mean of 3.6 years (range, 1 to 8). At the time of latest follow-up, five players were still participating at the major league level and five had retired. One patient had recurrence of the exostosis 8 years after surgery. Among our patients a trend existed toward a poorer result and failure of return to activity with a posterior osteophyte greater than 100 mm2. A posterior glenoid exostosis, when identified in the symptomatic shoulder of the throwing athlete, can be considered a definite marker of internal impingement.

The arthroscopic classification and treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum.

This study was done to determine the results of the arthroscopic treatment of osteochondritis dissecans of the capitellum in a young population. A retrospective review of 16 patients (17 elbows) was performed by follow-up examination and radiographs. The average follow-up was 48 months, with a minimum of 24 months. All patients underwent abrasion chondroplasty of the lesion and removal of any loose bodies and osteophytes when present. Postoperatively, the average flexion contracture decreased by 14 degrees, and the average extension contracture decreased by 6 degrees. Two of nine patients gave up participation in throwing sports, and one of five gave up gymnastics. All others returned to their preoperative levels of activity. Radiographs showed some slight residual flattening of the capitellum in eight patients. Two patients required reoperation: one for arthrofibrosis and one for a suspected loose body. The results of this study suggest that arthroscopic abrasion chondroplasty and treatment of any accompanying pathologic lesions in the affected elbow gave good results in most patients. This is a short-term study in a young population. Further follow-up will be needed to determine any long-term problems with this type of treatment. An arthroscopic classification system has also been proposed.

Arthroscopic anatomy of the elbow.

Elbow arthroscopy is becoming a mainstream orthopedic procedure. Through multiple portals, a thorough evaluation of the entire elbow joint is possible. However, an understanding of normal arthroscopic anatomy is essential for orientation and alienation of pathologic processes.

Hypoperfusion of the intestinal microcirculation without decreased cardiac output during live Escherichia coli sepsis in rats.

In order to determine the intestinal microvascular responses to normotensive, high cardiac output (CO) bacteremia, we measured vascular diameters and blood flow at different levels of the intestinal microcirculation during live E. coli bacteremia in male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 16). Precollicular brainstem transection was used to allow study free of drug anesthesia. The microcirculation of a loop of small intestine (with intact neurovascular connections) was observed by in vivo video microscopy and optical Doppler velocimetry at a magnification of x1,500. Intraluminal microvessel diameters and red cell velocity were measured in successive branches until the vessel entered a villus. CO was measured by transpulmonary thermodilution. Intravenous infusion of 1 x 10(9) live E. coli caused a 20% increase in CO at 50 min and a 14% decrease in systemic vascular resistance. However, microvascular blood flow to the small intestine decreased by 27% at 1 hr and by 56% at 2 hr. Progressive arteriolar constriction (25-50%, P less than .05) occurred at all levels of the intestinal microcirculation. These data indicate that intestinal hypoperfusion caused by arteriolar constriction occurs during high CO bacteremia. This hypoperfusion could contribute to mucosal injury and intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction during sepsis.