The surgical management of osteochondroma on the ventral surface of the scapula

Abstract

Hereditary multiple exostosis is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by the formation of multiple cartilaginous osteochondromata in the immature skeleton. Indications for operative intervention include mechanical dysfunction of a joint or tendon relating to the size of the lesion, and sarcomatous change. Ventral scapular osteochondromas have been reported to cause mechanical symptoms and should be considered as a differential to a 'winged' scapula. The surgical treatment of such lesions has not widely been reported in the orthopaedic literature. We report the surgical treatment of two osteochondroma from the ventral surface of the scapula in a 16-year-old girl. Preoperative evaluation, imaging, surgical technique and outcome are discussed. Ventral scapular osteochondroma can be successfully treated using the straightforward surgical technique described.