Open Scapulothoracic dissociation

• Published in: Southern medical journal (Birmingham, Ala.) Vol. 94; no. 4; pp. 383 - 386
• Main Authors: FISCHER, Philip J, KENT, Raleigh B
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hagerstown, MD Lippincott Williams & Wilkins 01.04.2001
• Subjects: Accidents, Occupational; Amputation; Biological and medical sciences; Brachial Plexus - injuries; Clavicle - injuries; Clavicle - surgery; Emergency Treatment - methods; Fractures, Bone - etiology; Fractures, Bone - surgery; Humans; Injuries of the thorax. Foreign bodies. Diseases due to physical agents; Joint Dislocations - etiology; Joint Dislocations - surgery; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Multiple Trauma - etiology; Multiple Trauma - surgery; Scapula - injuries; Skin Transplantation; Traumas. Diseases due to physical agents; Wounds, Penetrating - etiology; Wounds, Penetrating - surgery; Case study; Human; Radiography; Clinical management; Radiodiagnosis; Respiratory disease; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Complication; Thorax; Dissociation; Scapula; Trauma

Scapulothoracic dissociation refers to the traumatic separation of the shoulder from the chest wall. This most commonly occurs as a closed injury. We present a case of open scapulothoracic dissociation and emphasize clinical features unique to this injury. In both closed and open scapulothoracic dis...