Using a modified J-shaped Y-knot all-suture anchor to pass a suture under the coracoid process in coracoclavicular stabilization

• Published in: International journal of surgery case reports 2022-03, Vol.92, p.106903-106903, Article 106903
• Main Authors: Maliwankul, Korakot, Klabklay, Prapakorn, Chuaychoosakoon, Chaiwat
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Case Report; Coracoclavicular stabilization; Coracoid base; Distal clavicle fracture
• ISSN: 2210-2612; 2210-2612
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijscr.2022.106903

The distal clavicle fracture is a common shoulder injury. There are several treatment methods which can achieve good outcomes, of which coracoclavicular (CC) stabilization is one of the most popular surgical options. In CC stabilization, the step of passing a suture under the coracoid base is the most difficult step because the standard surgical tool is not designed for passing a suture under the coracoid process. To solve this problem, there are commercial tools for use in this step but all of them are expensive, and thus of limited availability in developing or low-resource settings. We propose a modified J-shaped Y-knot all-suture anchor for use in passing a suture under the coracoid process. A 45-year-old Thai male who had a left distal clavicle fracture was scheduled for CC stabilization. We modified a sterile Y-knot all-suture anchor to loop underneath the coracoid base which was easy to use and can design individually. In CC stabilization, there are many specialized commercial tools specially designed to easily pass the suture under the coracoid base but they are very expensive. The surgeon can use this technique to modify J-shaped Y-knot all-suture anchor for use in CC stabilization, recycling a Y-knot all-suture anchor normally discarded after use. A modified J-shaped Y-knot all-suture anchor can use in passing a suture under the coracoid process. •The step of passing a suture under the coracoid base is the most difficult step.•A Y-knot suture anchor is easy to modify for use in passing a suture under the coracoid process.•A modified J-shaped Y-knot suture anchor can re-sterile to use in cases of coracoclavicular stabilization.•A modified J-shaped Y-knot suture can adjust according to the shape of the individual coracoid process in each patient.