Osteosynthesis of scapular fractures: a retrospective cohort study

• Published in: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery 2022-12, Vol.142 (12), p.3845-3852
• Main Authors: Michelitsch, Christian, Kabelitz, Nina, Frima, Herman, Kabelitz, Method, Beks, Reinier, Stillhard, Philipp F., Sommer, Christoph
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activities of daily living; Cohort analysis; Fractures; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopedics; Patients; Trauma Surgery
• ISSN: 1434-3916; 0936-8051; 1434-3916
• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-021-04283-3

Purpose In recent years a trend from conservative to operative treatment of displaced scapula fractures has evolved. The aim of this study was to assess surgical and patient-based radiological and functional outcome after open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of displaced scapula fractures following predefined operative indications. Methods We retrospectively analyzed data of a consecutive series of patients with displaced scapula fractures following operative fixation at our institution between 06/2010 and 02/2020. The primary endpoint was a functional outcome using the QuickDASH score. Secondary outcomes were the Subjective Shoulder Value (SSV), numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain, Activities of Daily Living score (ADL) and complications. Results Twenty-six male patients were treated operatively. Twenty-three of whom were available for follow-up after a median follow-up time of 33 months (interquartile range [IQR] 8–70 months). In 18 (69%) cases a standard open approach and in 8 (31%) cases a minimal invasive (MI) approach was used. The median QuickDASH was 0 (IQR 0–0) with a median SSV of 95 (IQR 90–98). Patients reported a median NRS of 0 (IQR 0–1) and a median ADL score of 1 (IQR 1–1). Radiological fracture union was 100% without the occurrence of implant failure or mal-union. Two patients (7.7%) required early correction osteosynthesis, one patient (3.8%) developed a frozen shoulder 3 months postoperatively, and one patient (3.8%) presented with a superficial wound infection. Conclusion Following previously published indications for ORIF of displaced scapula body and neck fractures a good functional outcome and a low rate of complications could be achieved.