The surgical correction of congenital elevation of the scapula. A review of seventy-seven cases.

Of 77 cases of surgically treated congenital high scapula, the procedure was scapular resection in 36, and scapula relocation in 41. Seventeen had a Woodward-type repair, 14 a Shrock procedure, four cases a Green repair and 6 cases had Petries modification of the Green repair. Follow-up was from two to 14 years with a mean of 11 years. Preoperatively, the mean of shoulder abduction was 90 degrees. Post-operatively, proximal resection increased shoulder abduction to 126 degrees but did not change scapular position. Scapular relocation increased abduction to a mean of 134 degrees and shoulder position was altered from a mean of 1.8 inches of elevation as compared to the normal side, to a mean of 0.5 inches of residual elevation. Significant loss of initial correction occurred in 14 out of 36 cases of proximal resection and 9 of 41 patients with scapular relocation.