Shoulder imbalance treated with scapuloplasty surgery in scoliosis patients: a clinical retrospective study

Abstract

Background: To discuss the clinical efficacy and safety of scapuloplasty treating the shoulder imbalance in scoliosis patients. Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on 21 patients who underwent scoliosis corrective surgery combined with scapuloplasty from September 2013 to March 2015. The average follow-up was 31.4 ± 5.3 months (24-42 months). The shoulder vertical difference (SVD), adjusted Constant-Murley score, range of shoulder motion function, Cavendish grade, and the overall satisfaction were compared among the pre-surgery, post-surgery, and the final follow-up periods. Results: The shoulder vertical difference (SVD) significantly decreased at the time of post-surgery and the final follow-up, comparing the score of the pre-surgery. The SVD of all patients were decreased from preoperatively 3.2 ± 1.1 cm to 0.4 ± 0.3 cm, with the Cavendish grade improved to grade 1 at the final follow-up. The adjusted Constant-Murley score and range of shoulder motion function showed no significant difference during the three time periods (p > 0.05). And no severe complications had occurred over 2 years follow-up. Conclusion: The scapuloplasty surgery shows to be an effective and safety procedure to improve the shoulder imbalance, cosmetic appearance, and the overall satisfaction in scoliosis patients without impairing the shoulder function, which can be widely applied in clinic.

Sprengel’s Deformity With Congenital Scoliosis Successfully Treated With Combined Posterior Spinal Instrumented Fusion and Modified Woodward’s Procedure in a 14-Year-Old Patient With MURCS Association

“…Ahmad, in his study, used a modified Woodward's procedure by anchoring the scapula to the lower dorsal vertebrae by stout suture through the superomedial scapula and achieved better shoulder abduction and correction of glenoid tilt [14]. Zhong et al [15] studied 21 patients who underwent scoliosis correction combined with scapuloplasty for elevated shoulder (Cavendish score ranging from 2 to 3 points). In their proposed technique, after detaching the muscles covering the inferior medial angle of the scapula, the scapula was relocated caudally by suturing the muscle sheath to the same-side titanium rod using Ethibond sutures.…”

Comparison of Overall Complication Rates in VCR-Based vs Non-VCR-Based Corrective Techniques in Severe Rigid Kyphoscoliosis Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…[8][9][10][11] Regardless of the etiology of scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis, patients clinically presenting with acutely progressive or symptomatically severe rigid spinal deformities require timely surgical intervention to halt progression, achieve correction, restorate global spinal alignment, and improve back pain or neurological deterioration, as well as cosmetic and quality of life outcomes. [12][13][14][15] Currently employed surgical approaches include posterioronly, antero-posterior, with various osteotomies or threecolumn osteotomies including resection of at least one full vertebra with its rostral and caudal intervertebral discs, otherwise known as vertebral column resection (VCR), while surgery may be staged or non-staged. 10,[16][17][18][19] During surgical planning and decision-making, surgical techniques for management of severe rigid scoliosis or kyphoscoliosis can be complex and clinically challenging.…”