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Posterior subdeltoid and external rotators preserving approach for reduction and fixation of displaced extra-articular fractures of the scapula

  • Original Article • SHOULDER - FRACTURES
  • Published:
European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Operative management of scapular body fractures, when indicated, typically involves extensive exposure through a posterior approach. We present our experience with a deltoid preserving approach that allows excellent exposure of the fracture lines for reduction and fixation while minimizing muscle detachment and overall tissue trauma.

Technique

Exposure of the scapula was obtained through a posterior incision. The posterior deltoid was exposed and retracted superiorly while the arm was abducted in accordance with Brodsky et al. The scapula was exposed in the interval between infraspinatus and teres minor.

Patients and methods

Six patients were treated using this approach and were retrospectively reviewed. All were men with a mean age of 34 years (range 24–45 ± 6.7 years). The injuries involved two 14-A3.1 and four 14-A3.2 AO/OTA types of fractures. The mean follow-up after surgery was 28 months (range 21–36 ± 4.93 months).

Results

All fractures could be anatomically reduced and healed without compromise. The mean Constant score was 93.8 (range 91–97 ± 2.13), while range of motion and strength returned to levels equal to the uninjured shoulder. All patients returned to their previous level of activity. We did not observe atrophy of the posterior muscles or hardware complications, and none required hardware removal.

Conclusion

The deltoid and external rotators preserving posterior approach permitted good visualization of the fractures while allowing reduction and fixation without extensive muscular dissection and provided excellent functional outcomes. We consider that it offers obvious advantages over more aggressive muscle detaching approaches.

Level of evidence

Therapeutic study, IV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hand Surgery-Upper Limb and Microsurgery Department, KAT General Hospital, Nikis 2 Str, Kifisia, 145-61, Athens, Greece

    Emmanouil Fandridis, Panagiotis P. Anastasopoulos, George Alexiadis, Dimitrios Nomikarios & Sarantis Spyridonos

  2. Lindenhofspital, 3012, Bern, Switzerland

    Ralph Hertel

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  1. Emmanouil Fandridis
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  2. Panagiotis P. Anastasopoulos
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  3. George Alexiadis
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  6. Ralph Hertel
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Correspondence to Panagiotis P. Anastasopoulos.

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The authors, their immediate family and any research foundation with which they are affiliated did not receive any financial payments or other benefits from any commercial entity related to the subject of this article.

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Fandridis, E., Anastasopoulos, P.P., Alexiadis, G. et al. Posterior subdeltoid and external rotators preserving approach for reduction and fixation of displaced extra-articular fractures of the scapula. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 28, 585–591 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-018-2157-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-018-2157-3

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