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J Reconstr Microsurg 2001; 17(2): 079-084
DOI: 10.1055/s-2001-12694
Copyright © 2001 by Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA. Tel.: +1(212) 584-4662

Correction of Scapular Winging by Supraclavicular Neurolysis of the Long Thoracic Nerve

Joseph J. Disa1 , Bernadette  Wang2 , A. Lee Dellon2
  • 1Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York
  • 2Division of Plastic Surgery, Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland
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Publication History

Publication Date:
31 December 2001 (online)

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ABSTRACT

Injury to the long thoracic nerve results in winging of the scapula. When there is no known direct site of injury to this nerve, the traditional treatment consists of bracing the shoulder and, if recovery of function does not occur, then carrying out a muscle transfer to reconstitute the forces required to bring the scapula into appropriate position with respect to the thorax. The present report describes four patients in whom a site of compression of the long thoracic nerve within the scalene muscles proved to be the site of compression. A supraclavicular neurolysis of the long thoracic nerve resulted in correction of the winged scapula in all four of these patients.

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