[Controlled clinical study of treatment of non-operation and surgical operation for scapular fracture].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of treatment methods of non-operation and surgical operation for scapular fracture.

METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 52 patients (male 37, female 15, ranging in age from 20 to 48 years, meanly 31 years)with scapular fractures was done. According to Hardegger classification: the scapular body fracture in 24 cases, the surgical neck fracture in 12 cases, the anatomical neck fracture in 3 cases, the glenoidal lip fracture in 6 cases, the scapular spine fracrure in 7 cases. Of all 52 patients,17 cases were treated conservatively, and 35 were undergone surgical internal fixation. When followed up,the clinical examination was done and the X-ray films were taken to measure glenopolar angle (GPA). Hardegger function evaluation system was adopted. The results were analysed statiscally.

RESULTS: Fifty-two cases were all followed up for 9 weeks to 48 months. Among 17 patients treated by non-operation, Hardegger function evaluation system showed that the result were excellent in 7 cases, good in 6, fair in 2 and poor in 2; the X-ray film results showed that there were 14 cases of GPA > 20 degrees and 3 cases of GPA < 20 degrees. Of 35 patients treated by surgical operation, Hardegger function evaluation system showed that the result were excellent in 20 cases,good in 12 and fair in 3; the X-ray film results showed that there were 33 cases of GPA > 20 degrees and 2 cases of GPA < 20 degrees. There was no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.27).

CONCLUSION: Before treatment of scapular fracture, with CT 3D -recontruction, complete understanding of fragments displacement, and correction indication selection, and perform early exercises, both of the two procedures can provide satisfactory outcome.