Abstract
We describe two cases of glenoid fracture associated with traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder that were treated using the Bristow procedure. The patients were both women, aged 60 and 70 years. Both had anteroinferior glenoid fractures involving two thirds of the glenoid length, being type 1 by the Ideberg classification and causing dislocation of the shoulder. Although reduction was possible in both cases, redislocation occurred readily. We therefore undertook screw fixation of the displaced fragment via an anterior approach using the Bristow procedure. This operation stabilized the shoulder of each patient tightly, and there was no redislocation or displaced fragment after surgery.
Although there have been some reports of conservative treatment for this type of fracture, we consider that cases showing marked instability require surgery. Because accurate reduction and rigid fixation of the fragment were necessary, we selected open surgery with the Bristow procedure rather than arthroscopic screw fixation, because the former was easier to accomplish.
In conclusion, we consider this procedure useful for treatment of glenoid fracture associated with traumatic anterior dislocation of the shoulder.
