Treatment and follow-up of a scapular girdle avulsion in a 7-year-old child: A case report / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

In November 2011, a 7-year-old child with shoulder avulsion was treated in the Department of Hand and Foot Microsurgery, Xi’an Fengcheng Hospital with debridement, transfer of free anterolateral thigh flap(ALTF) and decompression with forearm incision. After operation the limb survived. Six months after surgery, the function of right shoulder abduction was reconstructed by transposition of trapezius muscle. At the 11 years after surgery, the length of the limb on the affected side was slightly shorter than that of the healthy side. The circumference of forearm was slightly less than that of the healthy side. The pain, touch and temperature sensations were recovered. The TPD was 15-20 mm, and the skin temperature on both sides of the limb was normal. The shoulder abduction reached 30°. The muscle strength of elbow and wrist flexions reached grade Ⅴ with the recovered wrist pronation and all digit flexions. The affected limb can cooperate with the healthy limb to complete all daily duties.