[Reconstruction of the shoulder joint function in the older obstetrical palsy].

OBJECTIVE

To study the reconstructional method and effect of shoulder joint function in the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture deformity.

METHODS

From April 1996 to July 1999, 7 patients of older obstetrical palsy were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 5 males and 2 females, aged from 13 to 21 years old. No previous operation history and the main deformity was medial rotation contracture of shoulder. During operation, these patients were treated with "Z"-shape elongation of the tendon of subscapular muscle, transfer of the tendons of latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle to the tendons of supraspinous and infraspinous muscles.

RESULTS

Followed up for 6 to 44 months(averaged 19 months), the Gilbert grading and Mallet scoring were 1.57, 7.57 preoperatively versus 3.45, 10.86 postoperatively, the abduction and external rotation of the shoulder joints recovered obviously.

CONCLUSION

It is an effective operation for the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture of shoulder.