Serratus anterior palsy can be a very disabling condition. However, not much has been written about many other upper limb palsies and the surgical approaches for them. In contrast, not much has been published about this particular muscle palsy. Most investigators engaged in the treatment of peripheral nerve palsies are focused on the restoration of elbow flexion/extension and shoulder abduction/external rotation. Nevertheless, scapulothoracic stability is of utmost importance for shoulder function inasmuch as it offers a stable base for arm motion--mostly forward flexion. As a result, serratus anterior palsy leads to loss of strength, range of motion, and pain due to fatigue of synergistic muscles--an issue disabling enough to warrant surgical intervention. Many investigators have suggested a variety of techniques including muscle transfers, fascial slings, or scapulothoracic fusion. The last option leads to obvious limitations in the final range of motion and should be avoided in young high-demand patients. Fascial slings have a tendency to attenuate over time.

ObjectiveTo evaluate clinical and radiological results with open reduction and internal fixation of severe fractures of the proximal humerus in the patients over the age of 60 years.MethodsBetween June 1992 and February 2011, 21 patients with FGEPU over the age of 60 years were treated by open reduction and internal fixation at the Group of Shoulder and Elbow Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology of Santa Casa de São Paulo Medical School. 18 patients were reviewed.ResultsTwo patients had excellent results, 12 good, three regular and one bad. Therefore, we find that 77.7% of these had good and excellent results. All patients were satisfied with the treatment and only three patients did not return to previous activities. Mean postoperative mobilities were 122° elevation (90–150°), 39 lateral rotation (20–60°) and medial rotation of T11 (T5 to sacro iliac joint).ConclusionOpen reduction and internal fixation of FGEPU may also be indicated for elderly patients and obtained 77.7% of good and excellent results. Statistically (p < 0.05), the anatomical reduction of the fracture was found to be important for obtaining good results.

Distal radial physis closure in children can develop severe wrist deformity (radial shortening). These patients can be treated using a single-step surgery. It was carried out in the form of a corrective osteotomy adopting the volar approach, with fixed-angle volar plate fixation and bone grafting from the iliac crest. There have been few descriptions of the use of this technique in the management of deformities related to early epiphysiodesis in distal radius. The use of fixation systems for the radius, using fixed-angle locking plates, allows radius lengthening adjusted to demand after osteotomy, using the combination of the plate and distal locking pins as spacer-with custom-sized tricortical iliac crest grafting within the defect. The freeing of soft parts such as the dorsal periosteum and brachioradialis muscle tendon allows adequate bone lengthening in a single-surgical step.

Objective: Skewed consolidation of the distal radius, due to sequelae of fractures, may cause functional incapacity, thus leading such patients to present pain, loss of strength and diminished mobility. Based on the excellent results obtained from surgical treatment of unstable fractures of the distal radius through a volar approach and use of rigid fixation with a fixed-angle volar plate, we started to use the same method for osteotomy of the distal radius. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted, and 20 patients treated between February 2002 and October 2009 were found. The mean length of follow-up was 43.9 months (range: 12 to 96 months). The surgical indications were persistent pain, deformity and functional limitation subsequent to a dorsally displaced fracture. Results: The mean preoperative deformity was 27° of dorsal tilt of the distal radius, 87° of ulnar tilt, and 7.3 mm of shortening of the radius. All the osteotomies consolidated and the final mean volar tilt was 6.2°, with ulnar tilt of 69.3° and shortening of 1 mm. The mean mobility of the wrist increased by 19.9° (flexion) and by 24° (extension). Mean forearm supination increased by 23.5° and pronation by 21.7°. Grip strength increased from 13.4 to 34.5 pounds. Conclusion: Use of a fixed-angle volar plate for a volar approach towards osteotomy of the distal radius enables satisfactory correction of the deformities and eliminates the need for removal of the synthesis material caused by tendon complications

Palavras-chave► luxação do ombro ► articulação do ombro/lesões ► instabilidade articular ► cavidade glenoide ► transplante ósseo ResumoObjetivo O objetivo deste estudo foi descrever as dimensões do processo coracoide em nossas cirurgias de Latarjet e compará-las com os resultados descritos na literatura. Além disso, a viabilidade da regra dos 7 milímetros foi verificada. Métodos Indivíduos com instabilidade glenoumeral anterior com ou sem erosão óssea participaram deste estudo. As dimensões de 31 enxertos de processo coracoide de pacientes operados pela técnica de Latarjet foram mensuradas com um paquímetro analógico e registradas para análise posterior. Resultados As dimensões do processo coracoide não demonstraram diferença estatisticamente significativa de acordo com o sexo. A largura do enxerto obtida em nossa amostra apresentou semelhança com as dimensões descritas na literatura. No entanto, o comprimento e a espessura foram um pouco menores quando comparados com o estudo de referência (Young et al, 2013). 15 A regra dos 7 milímetros foi considerada viável com as dimensões do enxerto obtidas em nossa amostra. Conclusão As dimensões do enxerto do coracoide foram similares às descritas na literatura em relação à largura, mas o mesmo não foi encontrado quanto ao comprimento e espessura; e a regra dos 7 milímetros demonstrou viabilidade com as dimensões do enxerto obtidas em nossa amostra. AbstractObjectives The aim of the present study was to describe the dimensions of the coracoid grafts in our Latarjet surgeries and compare them with the results described in the literature. In addition, the feasibility of the 7-millimeter rule was verified.