Abstract
Sprengel’s deformity is a comparatively rare congenital abnormality wherein the scapula remains high on the chest wall. The authors treated a 3-year-old boy with the bilateral deformity. Preoperatively, the left scapula was located 11mm higher than the right scapula. The abduction of both shoulders was limited to 90 degrees. Multiple anomalies were noted, including the presence of the left omovertebral bone, congenital fusion of C2-3 and C5-6, spina bifida occulta of C5 to C7 and rib deformities. Woodward procedure was performed on each side five months apart. The supraspinous portion of the scapula was not excised on the both sides. An early postoperative X-ray demonstrated good correction. At the 3 year follow up abduction of both shoulders had improved to 140 degrees. The scapular lowering obtained on each side was about one level of the vertebral body compared to the preoperative level. But, a discrepancy of the scapular level remained, because a loss of correction occured in the left scapula after the operation. We consider that the pathological changes of the left shoulder girdle should be treated more aggresively in such a case in order to facilitate relocation and prevent the loss of correction.
