Chronic locked posterior gleno-humeral dislocation: technical note on fibular grafting for restoration of humeral head sphericity

Abstract

Abstract Background Reconstruction of reverse Hill-Sachs defect using osteo-chondral allograft has the advantages of spherical re-contouring and provision of smooth biological articular surface of the reconstructed humeral head. However, worldwide availability and risk of disease transmission of osteo-chondral allograft remain points of increasing concerns. As an alternative to lacking osteo-chondral allograft, the current technical note describes a reconstructive technique of reverse Hill-Sachs defect using autologous fibular grafting. Methods Following open reduction of the dislocated humeral head, reverse Hill-Sachs defect was reconstructed using 3–4 autologous fibular pieces (each is of 10 mm in length) fixed in flush with the articular cartilage using 4-mm cancellous screws. Defect reconstruction was then followed by modified McLaughlin’s transfer and posterior capsulorrhaphy. Results Spherical contour of the humeral head and gleno-humeral range of motion were restored. Intra-operative dynamic testing of the reconstruct revealed no residual posterior gleno-humeral instability. Conclusion Currently reported technique might offer advantages of graft availability, technical simplicity, familiarity and reproducibility, safety (i.e. no disease transmission) and bone preservation facilitating future revision management (if needed). Nevertheless, long-term outcomes of this technique should be investigated via further cohort clinical studies.

Keywords

• Fibular grafting
• Humeral head reconstruction
• Locked gleno-humeral dislocation
• Posterior gleno-humeral dislocation
• Reverse Hill-Sachs defect