[Clinical characteristics and surgical management of Eyres type V coracoid fracture combined with superior shoulder suspensory complex injury].

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical characteristics of Eyres type V coracoid fracture combined with superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC) injuries, and the effectiveness of open reduction and fixation.

METHODS

Between March 2004 and July 2012, 13 patients with Eyres type V coracoid fracture and SSSC injuries were treated. There were 10 males and 3 females with an average age of 41 years (range, 23-59 years). Injury was caused by falling from height in 4 cases, by traffic accident in 6 cases, and by impact of the heavy weight in 3 cases. The interval from injury to operation was 3-10 days (mean, 5.2 days). SSSC injuries included 9 cases of acromioclavicular joint dislocation, 5 cases of clavicular fractures, and 4 cases of acromion fractures. The coracoid fractures were fixed with cannulated screws; the acromioclavicular joint dislocations were fixed with hook plate (6 cases) or Kirschner wires (2 case) except 1 untreated case; the clavicular fractures were fixed with anatomical locking plate (3 cases) and hook plate (2 cases); the acromion fractures were fixed with cannulated screws (1 case), Kirschner wires (2 cases), or both of them (1 case).

RESULTS

The mean operation time was 158.0 minutes (range, 100-270 minutes), and the mean intraoperative blood loss was 207.7 mL (range, 150-300 mL). The other patients obtained primary healing of incision except 1 patient who had inflammation around incision, which was cured after change dressing. All patients were followed up for 22.6 months on average (range, 17-35 months). All fractures achieved union at a mean time of 3.6 months (range, 2-6 months). No nerve injury and implant fixation failure complications were observed. At last follow-up, the Constant score and the disability of the arm, shoulder, and hand (DASH) score had a significant improvement when compared with scores at pre-operation (P < 0.05). The shoulder range of motion in flexion, abduction, and external rotation at last follow-up were significantly higher than those at pre-operation (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Eyres type V coracoid fracture associated with SSSC injuries usually results in the instability of the shoulder. With individual surgical treatment, the satisfactory function and good effectiveness can be obtained.