Background: Postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis (PAGCL) is a rare complication of shoulder arthroscopy. PAGCL describes a chondrolysis in the shoulder joint after arthroscopy mostly affecting younger patients. The process leading to chondrolysis is not known yet.
Material and methods: The case report describes a patient with rapid progress of the PAGCL. A literature review with key words: PAGCL, postarthroscopic glenohumeral chondrolysis, shoulder arthroscopy AND chondrolysis, chondronecrosis AND arthroscopy was carried out.
Results: 16 Publications involving case reports with 96 cases were found. The mean age at operation was 28 ± 10 years (range: 13 to 61 years). The majority of patients (62%) were male. 8 diagnoses at index operation were found. 63% received intraarticular local anaesthetics (62% bupivacain, 21% bupivacain and epinephrin, 2% lidocain) through a pain pump.
Conclusion: PAGCL is a rare and disturbing complication after shoulder arthroscopy. The majority of the patients are young and male. A relevant causal factor is an intraarticular pain pump with bupivacain. Other factors have not yet been verified. A multifactorial aetiology is likely. No specific and effective treatment regimen is described.
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