Surgical Treatment Of Scapular Fractures: A Prospective Study

Background: Scapular fractures can be seen following road traffic accidents, falls or following assaults. While nondisplaced scapular fractures can be managed conservatively displaced and comminuted fractures needs surgical intervention. Open reduction and internal fixation is associated with excellent functional outcome and acceptable complication rates. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study comprising of patients presenting with scapular fractures and treated by surgical interventions were included in this study depending upon a predefined inclusion criteria. Any patient having any exclusion criteria was excluded from the study. Demographic details, mechanism of injury and imaging finding were noted. All patients underwent surgical interventions in the form of open reduction and internal fixation. Post operatively patients were assessed for functional outcome and complications Results: Out of 25 studied cases there were 16 (64%) males and 9 (36%) females with a M: F ratio of 1: 0.6. The most common age group affected was 18-30 years (44%) and most common mechanism of injury was road traffic accidents (60%). Majority of the patients had fractures of body of scapula (48%) followed by fractures of glenoid cavity (32%), coracoid process (12%) and acromion process (8%). Mean preoperative and postoperative quick DASH scores were found to 42.12 +/- 10.13 and 10.76 +/- 4.54. Mean VAS score at presentation and 48 hours postoperatively was 8.14 and 5.20 respectively. Minor complications were seen in 6 (24%) cases. Conclusion:Displaced or comminuted scapular fractures treated by surgical interventions are found to have excellent functional outcome and acceptable complication rate