A Shaver Guide for an Arthroscopic Acromioplasty

Abstract

[Purpose]Arthroscopic acromioplasty (AA) has become a common procedure for the treatment of chronic impingement syndrome. AA allows earlier rehabilitation than open surgery because a complete detachment of the deltoid is not performed, yet AA is technically more demanding and has a long learning curve. Especially, measurers areas where a bone is removed is difficult. We developed a shaver guide which make an acromioplasty without the arthroscope easy.
[Method] 50 shoulders of 50 patients were exarnined by X-ray with an average age of 63 years (ran ge,41-77). The radiographs consisted of the supraspinatus outlet view and AP view. The width and thickness of the anterior acromion were measured.
[Results] The average width was 26.2mm and the thickness was 8.6mm of the anterior acromion. A shaver guide was made based on these data. The shaver guide has a hook and shaver sleeve which is like a drill guide for the ACL. The interval between the shaver sleeve and the hook can be changed. In order to make an AA and measure the thickness of the acromion, the hook of the shaver guide is placed on the top of the acromion through the skin and the shaver is inserted toward the shaver sleeve and the depth gauge. The operator does not need to hold the shaver guide because of the sleeve guide has a locking system which maintains the interval. The hook is placed and moves the skin of the ac romion, and an acromioplasty can be done without using an arthroscope.
[Conclusion] We can easily make an acromiopiasty and measure the thickness of the acromion easily with a shaver guide.