Treatment of coracoid process fractures: a systematic review.

INTRODUCTION: The coracoid process is a small hook-shaped feature on the scapula and a key structure of the superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC). Fractures of the coracoid are rare. Therefore, no consensus exists regarding treatment of coracoid process fractures. Systematically review indications, outcomes and complications of traumatic coracoid process fractures in adults, and to provide a treatment algorithm. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A systematic review was performed to identify all relevant studies on the treatment of coracoid process fractures. The methodological quality of the studies was scored using the Methodological Index for Non-Randomized Studies (MINORS). RESULTS: Eight case series, with a total of 110 coracoid process fractures, were included. All studies were of moderate methodological quality. Of the fractures, 78% were Ogawa type I fractures, 13% Ogawa type II and 9% were unclassified. Conservative treatment showed good results in most Ogawa type II fractures and type I fractures without associated disruptions of the SSSC. Most Ogawa type I fractures with associated disruptions of the SSSC received surgical treatment showing good results. CONCLUSION: Based on moderate quality studies, surgical treatment may be considered in Ogawa type I fractures with multiple disruptions of the SSSC. A conservative treatment seems sufficient in other fracture types.

Double-row fixation of the transferred coracoid process: a rescue technique for intraoperative coracoid fracture during the Latarjet procedure.

BACKGROUND: The Latarjet procedure is the preferred method to treat recurrent anterior shoulder instability with glenoid deficiency. An iatrogenic fracture of the transferred coracoid process is one possible intraoperative complication. METHODS: We propose a rescue technique using double-row suture bridge fixation. Double-loaded 4.5-mm suture anchors were placed medially in the scapular neck. These sutures were then brought over the top of the coracoid fragment, placed around the bony fragment, and fixated to the glenoid face with knotless suture anchors. RESULTS: Radiologic evidence of bone graft healing was observed in the desired position. CONCLUSIONS: We present a salvage procedure that will assist surgeons if an intraoperative fracture of the coracoid bone graft occurs during fixation when performing the Latarjet procedure.

The "triple dislocation fracture": anterior shoulder dislocation with concomitant fracture of the glenoid rim, greater tuberosity and coracoid process-a series of six cases.

BACKGROUND: A combined fracture of the glenoid rim, greater tuberosity, and coracoid process after anterior shoulder dislocation is a rare event. Only 1 patient has been reported in the literature. METHODS: All patients with a first-time traumatic anterior shoulder dislocation in a level A trauma center were retrospectively reviewed. Among the 2068 patients treated between 1998 and 2013, we identified 6 patients (0.3%; 1 female, 5 male) with "triple dislocation fracture" (anterior shoulder dislocation with concomitant fracture of the glenoid rim, greater tuberosity, and coracoid process). All patients underwent surgery and had computed tomography scans before surgery and the first postoperative day. Mean follow-up time was 59 months. Clinical and radiographic evaluation, Constant-Murley Score, Simple Shoulder Test, and Subjective Shoulder Value were performed at the final follow-up. RESULTS: Surgery was determined individually according to the radiologic findings, patient's age, and personal demands. Glenoid reconstruction was performed in all 6 patients, greater tuberosity refixation in 4 patients, and coracoid process refixation in 3. Two patients needed revision surgery due to loss of reduction. At the final follow-up, mean abduction was 133°, mean anterior flexion was 138°; the mean Constant-Murley Score was 72 points; the mean Simple Shoulder Test was 9 points; and the mean Subjective Shoulder Value was 72%. No recurrent instability occurred. CONCLUSIONS: A "triple dislocation fracture," especially coracoid process fractures, can easily be overlooked in radiographs. Computed tomography scans are strongly recommended in patients with a first-time traumatic shoulder dislocation. Because recurrent joint instability and secondary arthropathy are serious complications after anterior shoulder dislocation, surgery should be considered and provides satisfying to excellent results.

A Unique Presentation of the Glenoid, Coracoid, and Proximal Humerus Fractures.

Fractures of the proximal humerus are common injuries with a bimodal age distribution. They usually present in younger patients after high-energy trauma and in elderly patients after lower-energy trauma. Fractures of the proximal humerus are rarely associated with concomitant fractures of the glenoid, and this is a complex injury pattern that indicates the presence of significant instability. Such injuries are usually treated surgically. Even more rarely, patients may present with proximal humerus fractures and fractures of the coracoid process. A male patient presented to our emergency department (ED) after a fall off the loading platform of his heavy goods vehicle (HGV), resulting in a right shoulder injury. During his initial assessment in ED, a computerised tomography (CT) scan demonstrated the presence of a comminuted proximal humerus fracture, a comminuted anterior glenoid wall fracture, and a coracoid process displaced fracture. Surgical fixation of all three fractures was undertaken in the same sitting. This is the first case described in the literature with a combination of the above injuries and serves as a reminder that as trauma complexity and incidence continue to increase, we should maintain a high index of diagnostic suspicion when dealing with such patients. Furthermore, we present our treatment approach for this case and the rationale behind it.

Missed Bilateral Anterior Shoulder Dislocation With Bilateral Coracoid Fracture and Unilateral Long Head of Biceps Rupture.

Missed or chronic bilateral anterior shoulder dislocation is a rare presentation, usually secondary to epileptic attack. We present herein an exceptional case of this injury pattern, associated with bilateral displaced fracture of the coracoid process, and unilateral rupture of the long head of biceps. Treatment consisted of open reduction through osteotomy of the lesser tuberosity, with additional stabilization of the glenohumeral joint, using the Latarjet procedure by transposition of the coracoid fragment with its attached conjoint tendon to the antero-inferior glenoid rim. Rupture of the long head of the biceps required tenodesis. Temporary glenohumeral pin transfixation was performed for residual instability at the end of the procedure. Patients with postictal shoulder pain, discomfort, or disability should be investigated with adequate radiographs, in addition to CT scan or MRI when needed. Early diagnosis allows for safe closed reduction, and helps avoid late and more complex surgical treatment required for missed or chronic dislocations.

[Open reduction and internal fixation for multiple injuries of superior shoulder suspensory complex with coracoid process fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation for multiple injuries of superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC) with coracoid process fracture. METHODS: Between January 2014 and October 2018, 22 patients with multiple injuries of SSSC with coracoid process fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. There were 16 males and 6 females, aged from 24 to 72 years with an average age of 36.6 years. There were 10 cases of falling injury, 5 cases of traffic accident injury, and 7 cases of falling from height injury. All of them were fresh closed injuries. The time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 17 days with an average of 6.9 days. Both X-ray film and CT showed the coracoid process fracture complicated with clavicular fracture in 14 cases, acromioclavicular joint dislocation in 12 cases, and acromioclavicular fracture in 5 cases. There were 14 cases of two places of SSSC, 7 cases of three places of SSSC, and 1 case of four places of SSSC. RESULTS: All incisions healed in primary stage after operation. All patients were followed up 10-24 months with an average of 14.1 months. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed and the acromioclavicular joint was normal. The healing time ranged from 6 to 12 months, with an average of 6.2 months. No complications such as internal fixation failure and nonunion occurred. According to University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scoring system, the shoulder joint function was rated as excellent in 15 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases at last follow-up. The excellent and good rate was 90.9%. CONCLUSION: Open reduction and internal fixation for treatment of multiple injuries of SSSC with coracoid process fracture is firm and reliable. Combined with active postoperative rehabilitation program intervention, it can accelerate the recovery of shoulder joint function and achieve satisfactory effectiveness.

Bilateral Coracoid Avulsion Fractures with Unilateral Anterior Instability with Glenoid Bone Loss: Use of Avulsed Fragment for Reconstruction of Glenoid.

INTRODUCTION: Coracoid fractures are often missed since the fracture is not visualized in a routine anteroposterior view of the shoulder and special views are not ordered. Shoulder dislocation is common but it is rare to have a dislocation with a coracoid fracture. The purpose of this paper is to present the rare occurrence of bilateral coracoid fractures in a patient with unilateral anterior shoulder instability managed using the same fractured coracoid fragment by the latarjet procedure. CASE REPORT: We report a case of 48 -year -old male who presented to us with a history of recurrent dislocations of the left shoulder. He had frequent episodes of tonic-clonic seizures 5 years back. He was diagnosed to be suffering from neurocysticercosis of the brain for which he was successfully treated. He did not have any episode of seizure later, but he continued to have repeated episodes of dislocation on his left side only. On examination of his left shoulder, he had normal range of motion. He was found to be very apprehensive, even in the midrange. This made us to suspect glenoid bone loss and hence both magnetic resonance imaging and three -dimensional computed tomography (CT) scan of the left shoulder were ordered. The CT scan revealed bilateral coracoid fractures along with glenoid bone loss. An open bony procedure including iliac crest bone graft was planned after a diagnostic arthroscopy keeping in mind that the latarjet procedure may not be possible due to the coracoid fracture. During the operation, we found that the coracoid fragment was large enough to perform a latarjet procedure rather than doing an iliac crest bone graft. This itself provided stability of the shoulder on abduction and external rotation by providing a bony block not requiring any further procedure for the Hill -Sachs lesion. CONCLUSION: Epileptic patients should undergo CT scan evaluation for glenoid bone loss, large Hill -Sachs lesion and to rule out coracoid fractures to plan for bony stabilization procedure and since we have used the same fractured coracoids fragment for latarjet procedure and found to be successful, this add on the knowledge to the orthopedic community.

Open reduction and internal fixation for multiple injuries of superior shoulder suspensory complex with coracoid process fracture / 中国修复重建外科杂志

Objective: To investigate the effectiveness of open reduction and internal fixation for multiple injuries of superior shoulder suspensory complex (SSSC) with coracoid process fracture. Methods: Between January 2014 and October 2018, 22 patients with multiple injuries of SSSC with coracoid process fracture were treated by open reduction and internal fixation. There were 16 males and 6 females, aged from 24 to 72 years with an average age of 36.6 years. There were 10 cases of falling injury, 5 cases of traffic accident injury, and 7 cases of falling from height injury. All of them were fresh closed injuries. The time from injury to operation ranged from 2 to 17 days with an average of 6.9 days. Both X-ray film and CT showed the coracoid process fracture complicated with clavicular fracture in 14 cases, acromioclavicular joint dislocation in 12 cases, and acromioclavicular fracture in 5 cases. There were 14 cases of two places of SSSC, 7 cases of three places of SSSC, and 1 case of four places of SSSC. Results: All incisions healed in primary stage after operation. All patients were followed up 10-24 months with an average of 14.1 months. X-ray films showed that all fractures healed and the acromioclavicular joint was normal. The healing time ranged from 6 to 12 months, with an average of 6.2 months. No complications such as internal fixation failure and nonunion occurred. According to University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) shoulder scoring system, the shoulder joint function was rated as excellent in 15 cases, good in 5 cases, and poor in 2 cases at last follow-up. The excellent and good rate was 90.9%. Conclusion: Open reduction and internal fixation for treatment of multiple injuries of SSSC with coracoid process fracture is firm and reliable. Combined with active postoperative rehabilitation program intervention, it can accelerate the recovery of shoulder joint function and achieve satisfactory effectiveness.

Good Clinical Outcome following Non-operative Treatment of Concomitant Fractures of Coracoid Process and Distal End of Clavicle: A Case Report.

INTRODUCTION: A coracoid fracture is a rare orthopaedic condition as it accounts for only 2 - 10 % of all scapular fractures and <0.1% of all fractures. In even rarer cases coracoid fractures are also associated with other bony injuries of the shoulder. There is currently no consensus on the treatment of such injuries. CASE REPORT: We present an unusually rare case of a simultaneous fracture of the coracoid process and the lateral end of clavicle. The patient was treated with shoulder arm sling for 6 weeks followed by physiotherapy. At 6 months follow up the patient was pain free with full range of motion at right shoulder. CONCLUSION: Concomitant fractures of lateral end clavicle and coracoid process are rare and may not be visible of plain radiographs. CT scan may be indicated if the clinical examination suspects additional injuries of shoulder girdle. We have treated this injury non operatively with a good clinical outcome.

Surgical Treatment Using Anchor Suture of Coracoid Process Fracture with Acromioclavicular Joint Dislocation: A Case Report

PURPOSE: This study examined the outcomes of closed reduction and fixation of the coracoid process fracture using a suture anchor in a patient with combined acromioclavicular dislocation for which the coraco-clavicular ligament was intact. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A 26 year-old male patient with a coracoid process fracture that was associated with a type III acromioclavicular joint dislocation was operated on with anchor suture fixation. This is the first trial of this operative procedure. RESULTS: At the postoperative follow-up at 3 months, complete union of the coracoid process fracture was seen. The shoulder had a full range of motion and the shoulder function was normal. CONCLUSION: Closed reduction and fixation using one suture anchor for treating coracoid process fracture is a safe, effective procedure.