Shoulder arthrodesis using a pelvic-reconstruction plate. A report of eleven cases.

Eleven adults who had a flail shoulder due to brachial plexus palsy had arthrodesis of the shoulder using a single ten-hole pelvic-reconstruction plate. Both the glenohumeral and the acromiohumeral joints were fused with the shoulder in the position of 30 degrees of abduction, 30 degrees of flexion, and 30 degrees of internal rotation. No bone graft was used. The patients were immobilized in a spica cast for six weeks postoperatively. At an average follow-up of twenty-five months after the operation, the position of the arthrodesis had been maintained and solid fusion had occurred in each shoulder. No patient required removal of the plate. The pelvic-reconstruction plate is malleable and is more easily contoured in the operating room than a dynamic-compression plate. We recommend the use of a malleable pelvic-reconstruction plate when performing arthrodesis of the shoulder.