ABSTRACT
Twenty patients [22 shoulders] were selected for either open acromioplasty or for arthroscopic acromioplasty. All suffered from chronic impingement syndrome in the presence of intact rotator cuff, which conservative treatment had been unsuccessful. The minimum follow-up was 12 months for both groups. There was no statistical difference in mean postoperative shoulder scores between the two operative groups. However, there were more excellent and good results in the open group as compared with arthroscopic group [72.7%, vs 63.6%, respectively]. In addition there was a higher percentage of fair and poor results in arthroscopic group as compared to open group [36.4%, vs 27.3%, respectively]. As regard to the function and pain, postoperatively, there were a satisfactory results in around 80% of cases for either open or arthroscopic acromioplasty. Arthroscopic acromioplasty associated with shorter hospital stays and faster achievement of maximal pain relief as compared with open acromioplasty. Choice of the technique depends on expertise of surgeon