Acromial approach for treating glenoid fractures: A report of two cases and a literature review

Surgery is usually recommended for displaced glenoid fractures, with open reduction and internal fixation as the standard operative treatment. Three approaches have been recommended in the reduction of glenoid fractures: Anterior, posterior and combined; however, a traditional approach may be difficult due to a high position or a comminuted Ideberg type III fracture. The combined approach results in a longer incision and more soft tissue injury when associated with an acromial fracture. The present study describes two complicated glenoid fractures: One case was a comminuted Ideberg type III fracture associated with an Ogawa type II acromial fracture; the second case was an Ideberg type IV fracture with associated superior shoulder suspensory complex injuries. In these cases, the acromial approach was modified to achieve satisfactory exposure and fixation of the complicated fracture. After a 1-year follow-up, the patients had a satisfactory outcome.