• Hubert Lenoir, Thomas Williams, Aude Griffart, Cyril Lazerges, Michel Chammas, Bertrand Coulet, and Dominique Le Nen.
• Centre Ostéo-Articulaire des Cèdres, Échirolles, France. Electronic address: hubert.lenoir@laposte.net.
• J Shoulder Elbow Surg. 2017 May 1; 26 (5): e115-e121.

BackgroundShoulder arthroscopic arthrodesis is an uncommon and non-standardized procedure. Results are poorly evaluated. We describe the findings in 8 patients who underwent shoulder arthroscopic arthrodesis for brachial plexus injury.MethodsThe humeral head and glenoid were excised through standard arthroscopic portals. A Hoffmann external fixator and cannulated screws were used to stabilize the shoulder. Standard clinical assessment and radiographic evaluation were performed each month until bony fusion occurred. With a mean follow-up of 28 months, functional evaluation included pain level (on a 0- to 10-mm visual analog scale); American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons index; Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score; and Simple Shoulder Test score. Mobility was systematically investigated. Blood loss was assessed by measuring hematocrit proportion.ResultsGlenohumeral fusion was achieved in all 8 patients. The mean time to arthrodesis was 3 months (range, 2-8 months). At last follow-up, the mean pain level was 1 (range, 0-4); the mean American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score was 69; the mean Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score was 36; and the mean Simple Shoulder Test score was 4. Mean active flexion and abduction were 80° (range, 60°-90°) and 59° (range, 40°-80°), respectively. Mean blood loss during the perioperative period was 432 mL (range, 246-792 mL). We observed one superficial wound infection and one migration of an acromiohumeral screw. These complications did not compromise the final results.ConclusionsArthroscopic arthrodesis of the shoulder can be a reliable procedure and associated with a low rate of complications.Copyright © 2017 Journal of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery Board of Trustees. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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