Ring versus non-ring plate for the treatment of displaced scapular body fractures: a retrospective study with a mean follow-up of 5 years

OBJECTIVE: To compare surgical complications and functional outcomes of the ring plate versus the non-ring plate approach to the surgical repair of scapular body fractures (SBFs; AO/OTA classification: 14-A2.2). METHODS: This retrospective study reviewed data from adults with SBFs who underwent a modified Judet approach combined with non-ring or ring plates between November 2006 and June 2013. The primary outcomes were the Constant and Murley score and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score. The secondary outcomes were radiographic findings. RESULTS: A total of 318 patients had a non-ring or ring plate internal fixation, of which 147 patients (ring-treated, n = 72; non-ring-treated, n = 75) were evaluated with a mean follow-up period of 60 months. At the 3-month follow-up, the complication rate was 2.8% and 13.3% for the ring-treated and non-ring-treated groups, respectively. The difference persisted over time, with significantly different rates of 8.3% and 20.0% at the final follow-up for the ring and non-ring groups, respectively. The ring-treated group had significantly higher postoperative Constant and Murley scores and lower DASH scores compared with the non-ring-treated group. CONCLUSION: Application of a modified Judet approach combined with ring plate internal fixation for the treatment of SBFs may be the preferred treatment option.