A preliminary report of treating scapula body fractures with single plating at the lateral border

Abstract

Objective To report the preliminary outcomes of scapula body fractures treated by single plating at the lateral border.Methods In the period from May 2012 to August 2013,15 fractures of displaced scapula body were treated at our department by open reduction and internal fixation with single plating at the lateral border.They were 12 men and 3 women,aged from 22 to 50 years (mean,38.5 years).The therapeutic outcomes were assessed in terms of the time to normal work and activity,complications and shoulder functions by the Constant score and Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score at the last follow-up.Results All the patients were followed up from 8 to 14 months (average,11.5 months).All fractures healed after 6 to 12 weeks (average,7.5 weeks).No such complications were observed as infection,hematoma,suprascapular nerve injury,implant failure or persistent shoulder pain.All patients returned to normal work or activity after a mean time of 3.5 months (from 2.5 to 4.0 months).At the last follow-up,14 cases were excellent and one was good; the average Constant score was 90.0 points (from 79.5 to 95.0 points); the average DASH score was 6.5 points (from 1.5 to 11.0 points).Conclusion Open reduction and single plating via the lateral border approach for fractures of displaced scapula body can lead to satisfactory reduction,relatively stable internal fixation and good short-term outcomes. Key words: Scapula; Fracture fixation, internal; Bone plates; Lateral border