Scapulothoracic arthrodesis for patients with facioscapulohumeral musculardystrophy

Ten scapulothoracic arthrodesis procedures were performed in six patients w ith facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy in order to improve considerably restricted activities of daily living. Four of these procedures were bilat eral. The duration of follow-up ranged from 28 to 120 months. All patients reported improved function in activities of daily living. Active shoulder a bduction was improved by an average of 44 degrees. and active flexion incre ased by 56 degrees. There was no deterioration in improved upper limb funct ion with time. Complications included pneumothorax, atelectasis, pleural ef fusion and re-exploration for a segment of retained drain. (C) 1998 Elsevie r Science B.V. AU rights reserved.