[OPPOSITE Judet APPROACH FOR INTERNAL FIXATION OF SCAPULA NECK AND BODY FRACTURES WITH RECONSTRUCTION PLATE].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of the opposite Judet approach for internal fixation of scapula neck and body fractures with reconstruction plate. METHODS Between February 2008 and November 2012, 44 cases of scapula neck and body fractures were treated through the opposite Judet approach for internal fixation with reconstruction plate. There were 34 males and 10 females with a mean age of 31 years (range, 20-53 years). Fractures were caused by traffic accident in 30 cases, by falling from height in 10 cases, and by crashing of heavy object in 4 cases. Of 44 cases, 6 were classified as type II A, 14 as type II B, 4 as type II C, and 20 as type IV fractures according to Miller standard. The mean time between operation and trauma was 11 days (range, 5-20 days). The glenopolar angle and the glenoid bank angle were measured on the anterior scapula X-ray films. The shoulder functions were evaluated according to the Rowe's scoring system. RESULTS The mean operation time was 80 minutes (range, 60-110 minutes). The mean intraoperative blood loss was 200 mL (range, 100-400 mL). Superficial wound infection occurred in 2 cases at 5 days after operation, and was cured after change dressing without dysfunction. Primary healing of incision was obtained in the other cases. All cases were followed up 12-23 months (mean, 18.3 months). No nerve or blood vessel injury, breakage of internal fixation, fracture displacement, bone nonunion, or osteomyelitis occurred. The glenopolar angle and glenoid bank angle were significantly improved from (17.08 ± 3.28)° and (23.52 ± 4.35)° before operation to (36.24 ± 5.89)° and (9.27 ± 2.12)° at 6 months after operation respectively (t = 18.792, P = 0.001; t = 19.503, P = 0.001). According to Rowe's scoring system for evaluation of shoulder function, the results were excellent in 32 cases, good in 8 cases, and fair in 4 cases at 1 year after operation; the excellent and 6 months good rate was 90.9%.

CONCLUSION: Opposite Judet approach for internal fixation of scapula neck and body fractures with reconstruction plate has the advantages of less rotator cuff injury, complete exposure of the scapula two column structure through the three gaps, and easy operation, and the satisfactory fracture reduction and rigid fixation can be obtained.