Congenital forward shoulder with clavicle hypoplasia: surgical lengthening by intercalary graft positioning and plate fixation.

BACKGROUND: Congenital forward shoulder with clavicular hypoplasia is a rare disease which can be caused by an alteration of clavicular development in such a way that the clavicles are short. Symptoms are often absent; in most cases the main problem is represented by the cosmetic implications. There is no general consensus about the correct management, and surgery is the only way to correct the deformity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of the study is to describe a new surgical treatment in patients with congenital forward shoulder and clavicular hypoplasia. In 2010, three patients suffering from bilateral congenital forward shoulder were managed surgically by a intercalary graft positioning with plate fixation aimed at the elongation of the clavicles.

RESULTS: Patients were followed by up to 2 years. All the patients treated were satisfied with the results, regarding the resolution of mild pain, but especially from the cosmetic point of view.

CONCLUSION: The intercalary graft positioning was found to be easy to perform and allowed an elongation of the clavicles with immediate stability.