Operative Treatment of Floating Shoulder

PURPOSE: Conservative treatment of displaced ipsilateral compound fractures of clavicle and scapula neck or gleonoid cavity, causing a floating shoulder, cannot expect satisfactory results in all of them. We reviewed 9 operative cases of floating shoulders and analyzed the results with review of literature. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nine patients with floating shoulders were operated from July 1996 to August 2000 were reviewed. Patient's age was in average 38.3 years old. Associated injuries were 4 cases of rib fractures and 1 case of humerus shaft fracture. Other injuries included 3 hemothorax, 2 pneumothorax, 1 brachial plexus injury, and 1 ulnar nerve injury. Operation for both clavicle and scapula fracture was done in 6 cases, and surgery was done for only clavicle in 3 cases. Internal fixation for clavicle was done with 3.5 mm AO reconstruction plate in 4 cases and Dynamic Compression Plate in 5 cases. RESULTS: Clinical results by Hardegger method showed 7 cases of excellent, 1 case of good, and 1 case of poor. Complications include 2 cases of limitation of motion of shoulder joint and one case of residual pain. CONCLUSION: Floating Shoulder is caused by high-energy trauma, therefore initial assessment of associated injuries should be done carefully. In evaluating the articular surface of the glenoid and positions of the fracture fragment, CT evaluation is very useful in planning the surgical treatment. Clinical results after surgery can give satisfactory results.