Ipsilateral fractures of the scapular neck and clavicle disrupt the
suspensory mechanism of the shoulder, resulting in functional loss and
deformity. Fifteen patients who had such fractures were managed with open
reduction and internal fixation and were followed for an average of
twenty-five months (range, fourteen to forty-seven months). All but one
patient had a good or excellent functional result according to the scoring
system of Rowe. All fractures healed at an average of eight weeks
postoperatively. Complications from concomitant fractures of the ribs were
treated uneventfully. We concluded that operative treatment of these
complex fractures is safe and yields predictably good results.