Partial Scapulectomy for Congenital Elevation of the Scapula

We treated 26 patients with congenital elevation of the scapula by excising the superomedial part of the scapula. We also simultaneously resected the omovertebral bone when present. A modified inverted L-shape incision was used to release the contracted tissue around the medial edge of the scapula. We evaluated 28 shoulders (26 patients) at a minimum of 10 months followup (mean, 3.9 years; range, 10 months-7 years). The improvement rate for range of shoulder abduction was 59.11%. Eighteen shoulders with preoperative abduction less than 120 degrees achieved an average improvement of 52 degrees, whereas 10 shoulders with a preoperative abduction range greater than 120 degrees achieved an average improvement of 19 degrees. However, there was no difference in the improvement rate of the range of shoulder abduction between the two groups (60.94% versus 56%). Twenty-three shoulders (82.24%) attained various degrees of cosmetic improvement after the operation. There were no neurologic complications during or after surgery. No patients complained of scar problems. Excising the superomedial part of the scapula is a safe, simple operation for treating congenital elevation of the scapula.