Open Screw Fixation of Large Anterior Glenoid Rim Fractures Using a Deltopectoral Approach With Subscapularis Splitting

Abstract

Anterior glenoid rim fracture is a consequence of the humeral head impacting the glenoid fossa. The management of large glenoid fractures involving more than 20% of the articulating glenoid requires surgical treatment. The 2 main techniques are open reduction internal fixation (ORIF) by screws and arthroscopic treatment using suture anchors or transcutaneous screws. Next to the technical equipment, a surgeon requires extensive experience to achieve good results with the arthroscopic technique. The main disadvantage using the ORIF technique is the detachment of the subscapularis muscle, which is often criticized for causing functional deficits of the subscapularis. Our study demonstrates the feasibility of the ORIF technique through a deltopectoral approach and splitting of the subscapularis. To our knowledge, subscapularis splitting has never been described to treat glenoid fractures.