Poster 147: Operative Treatment of Acromioclavicular Injuries in the Military: Trends and Complications

OBJECTIVES: To identify the demographics and characteristics of operative acromioclavicular joint separations, as well as characterize reconstruction techniques and associated complications. METHODS: The United States Military Health System Data Repository was queried for patients with a Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code for coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction between October 2013 and March 2020. Patient demographics, radiology and operative reports, and clinical notes were reviewed to characterize reconstruction techniques and associated postoperative complications. RESULTS: A total of 956 coracoclavicular ligament reconstructions (896 primary repairs or reconstructions, 60 revision reconstructions) were performed between October 2013 and March 2020. The 896 primary coracoclavicular ligament reconstructions were indicated for a range of acromioclavicular joint separation severities: three grade two separations, 392 grade three separations, 48 grade four separations, and 386 grade 5 separations; the remaining 67 patients did not have a definitive injury grade defined by the treating surgeon. Of the primary procedures, 356 were performed acutely within 6 weeks of injury, while 538 were performed greater than 6 weeks after injury. Two hundred and twenty eight primary procedures were categorized as repairs, while 652 were categorized as reconstructions utilizing a graft. Following these procedures, there were 104 major complications requiring return to the operating room, including 48 symptomatic failures requiring revision, 18 fractures of the clavicle or coracoid, 25 deep surgical site infections and 9 cases of symptomatic hardware requiring removal of hardware, and 4 cases of adhesive capsulitis requiring manipulation under anesthesia. There were 160 minor postoperative complications, including 5 non-operative fractures of the clavicle or coracoid, 16 superficial surgical site infections, 7 cases of non-operative adhesive capsulitis, 57 cases of neuropathy, 1 deep venous thrombosis, and 74 cases of persistent acromioclavicular joint pain. There were no significant differences in complication rates between injury grade, acute versus chronic treatment, repair versus reconstruction, or suspensory versus non-suspensory technique. The rate of major complications was 1.8 per 100 person-years and the rate of minor complications was 2.77 per 100 person-years. The overall complication rate was 4.57 per 100 person-years. At the conclusion of the acromioclavicular joint separation care, 60 service members necessitated medical separation from the military. CONCLUSIONS: Coracoclavicular ligament reconstruction is a relatively common and safe procedure in a physically active population. The rate of major complication was 1.8 per 100 person-years, while the overall complication rate in our series was 4.57 complications per 100 person-years. Complications are rare, however, when they occur, they frequently require one or more secondary surgeries to treat.