Scapular fracture related to polytrauma severity in patients with serious brachial plexus palsy

Brachial plexus palsy is often accompanied by other injuries. Scapular fracture is thought to be a marker of polytrauma severity. The aim of this study was to evaluate associated injuries in patients with serious brachial plexus involvement and to determine whether there is a relationship between scapular fracture and severity of polytrauma in such patients. We retrospectively evaluated 84 surgical patients who underwent brachial plexus reconstruction at our department between 2008 and 2011. In all of them, data on scapular fracture and major associated injuries were recorded. Of the 84 patients, 22 (26.2%) had a scapular fracture. Of 61 patients with upper plexus palsy only 10 (16.4%) suffered a scapular fracture while of 23 patients with more severe plexus lesions 12 (52.2%, p