Operative Treatment of Winged Scapula: A Report of 2 Cases

Kang, Ho Jung; Kim, Ki Deog; Shin, Sang Jin

Abstract

Winging of the scapula is characterized clinically by a prominence of the vertebral border and inferior angle of the scapula. Trauma, neuritis, neural injury during surgical procedure and many other causes may develop winging of scapula. When pain and functional impairment persist, surgical intervention may become appropriate. We report two cases of winged scapula. One case was serratus anterior palsy due to blunt trauma, which was treated by transfer of teres major and pectoralis minor elongated with a tensor fascia strip. Another case was trapezius muscle palsy due to iatrogenic spinal accessary nerve injury, which was treated by transfer of the levator scapulae, rhomboid major and rhomboid minor muscle. In the former case, there was no weakness nor deformity of affected shoulder. In the later case, there was some residual pain and limitation of motion.