Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Regional Anesthesia For Scapular Fracture Surgery: An Educational Review of Anatomy and Techniques
Regional Anesthesia For Scapular Fracture Surgery: An Educational Review of Anatomy and Techniques
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
Regional anesthesia for scapular fracture surgery: an
educational review of anatomy and techniques
Kartik Sonawane , J Balavenkatasubramanian, Hrudini Dixit, Harshitha Tayi,
Vipin Kumar Goel
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
Management
►► The majority of scapular fractures remain undisplaced due to
the strong supporting soft-tissue structures and surrounding
muscles.
►► Most of the scapula fractures are managed conservatively
with nonoperative treatments like the use of a sling or
shoulder immobilizer, ice, and pain killers.
►► Surgical fixation is required if there is an associated gleno-
humeral joint displacement or at least, a double disruption in
any of two structures forming the superior shoulder suspen-
sory complex, the term coined by Goss14 in 1993. It is an
Figure 1 Functional anatomy of scapula and vascular anastomoses osteoligamentous connection of the acromion, coracoid, and
around scapula. (A) Various surfaces, processes and angles of scapula. glenoid processes of the scapula.
(B) Vascular anastomoses around scapula. ►► Only about 10% of scapula fractures involving the neck
or glenoid or with severe displacement require surgical
intervention.
SCAPULA FRACTURES ►► Scapular fracture repair surgery has historically been
Incidence performed through a large, open incision.15
►► Scapula fractures account for 3%–5% of all fractures of the ►► Newer, minimally invasive techniques have evolved, and
shoulder girdle and comprise 0.4%–1% of all fractures. 11 surgery to repair scapular fractures can now be performed
►► About 45% of all scapula fractures occur in the body,
through arthroscopy.15
35% involve the glenoid process (25% glenoid neck, 10%
glenoid cavity), 8% the acromion, and 7% the coracoid SURGICAL STEPS FOR SCAPULA SURGERY
process.12 Since 62%–98% of scapula fractures involve the scapula body/
neck, the posterior surgical approach is the most common for scap-
ular surgeries.16 17 The Judet (posterior) approach allows access to
Classification
the entire posterior aspect of the scapula body but requires a large
►► Scapula fractures are classified into three major types. Type
skin incision and extensive muscular disruption.18 An anterior
A (extra- articular not involving glenoid), type B (partial
approach is needed in type 1A fractures (anterior rim injuries) of
articular involving glenoid) and type C (total articular).
the glenoid cavity.
►► Extra-articular fractures are further classified as A1 (acro-
1. Posterior approach: the patient is positioned in a lateral de-
mion), A2 (coracoid), and A3 (body).
cubitus position with the operative side up. The incision is
►► Partial articular fractures are classified as B1 (anterior rim),
made over the lateral one-third of the scapular spine along
B2 (posterior rim) and B3 (inferior rim).
the posterior aspect of the acromion to its lateral tip and then
►► Total articular fractures are further classified as C1 (extra-
distally in the mid-lateral line for 2.5 cm.
articular glenoid neck), C2 (intra-articular with the neck)
2. Anterior approach: the patient is placed in a beach-chair po-
and C3 (intra-articular with the body).
sition. The incision is made in Langer lines, centered over
the glenohumeral joint and running from the superior to the
Associated fractures/injuries inferior margins of the humeral head.
►► Scapular fractures are associated with other major injuries in 3. Superior approach: it is an additional approach for anterior
the shoulder, clavicle and ribs, or damage to the head, lungs or posterior exposure. The incision is extended over the su-
or spinal cord. perior aspect of the shoulder.
►► Associated injuries include rib fractures (25%–45%), pulmo- The surgical steps usually involved in scapular surgery with
nary injury (15%–55%), humeral fractures (12%), skull frac- the posterior approach are,
tures (25%), CNS deficits (5%), major vascular injury (11%) a. Incision—from the posterolateral tip of acromion extending
and splenic injury (8%).13 in line with the tip of the scapula parallel and lateral to the
►► Brachial plexus injury (5%–13%) is the most important medial scapular border.
prognostic factor concerning the final clinical outcome.13 b. Superficial dissection—through the skin, subcutaneous tis-
►► The reported mortality rate of patients with scapular frac- sue, and fat, exposing posterior deltoid muscle belly. Deltoid
tures from the concomitant injuries varies between 2% and muscle is dissected off the scapular spine and retracted to
15%.13 reveal underlying infraspinatus and teres minor muscle.
c. Deep dissection—after retracting teres minor inferiorly and
Mechanism infraspinatus superiorly posterior glenoid capsule is exposed
►► Scapular fractures are uncommon, mainly caused by high- deep to the musculature.
energy direct blunt trauma associated with MVA. d. Joint access: after incising the posterior capsule, the glenohu-
►► They can also occur from a fall on an outstretched arm if the meral joint is exposed.
humeral head impacts on the glenoid cavity. e. Reduction and plating: after achieving reduction and proper
►► Convulsions or electrical shock are associated with an avul- alignment of bone, the plating is done.
sion fracture of acromion or coracoid due to traction by
muscles/ligaments. PAIN GENERATIONS IN SCAPULA SURGERY
►► Other causes include falls from heights, crush injuries or Factors producing pain before and after surgery are different. Pain
sporting activities (horseback riding, skiing and contact before surgery is due to traumatic tissue and bone damage, whereas
sports). after surgery, it is due to surgical incisions, soft tissue damage,
Sonawane K, et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2021;46:344–349. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 345
Education
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
Table 1 Muscles attachments to the scapula with their innervation
Muscles connecting scapula to Innervation
spine
1 Trapezius Spinal accessory nerve
2 Levator scapulae C3–C4 and dorsal scapular nerve (C4–C5)
3 Latissimus dorsi Thoracodorsal nerve (C6–C8)
4 Rhomboid major Dorsal scapular nerve (C4–C5)
5 Rhomboid minor Dorsal scapular nerve (C4–C5)
Muscles connecting scapula to Innervation
arm
1 Supraspinatus Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
2 Infraspinatus Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
3 Teres major Thoracodorsal nerve (C5–C7) or
Lower subscapular nerve (C5–C6)
4 Teres minor Axillary nerve (C5–C6)
5 Long head of triceps Radial nerve (C6–C8)
6 Subscapularis Upper subscapular nerve (C5–C6)
Lower subscapular nerve (C5–C6)
7 Coracobrachialis Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C7)
8 Deltoid (middle and posterior Axillary nerve (C5–C6)
head)
9 Biceps brachii Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–C7)
Muscles connecting scapula to Innervation
ribs
1 Serratus anterior Nerve serratus anterior (C5–C7)
2 Pectoralis minor Medial pectoral nerve (C8–T1)
Lateral pectoral nerve (C5–C7)
Muscles connecting scapula to Innervation
hyoid
Figure 2 Dermatomes, myotomes and osteotomes of scapula. (A)
Dermatomal innervations of scapula (source: nysora.com). (B) Muscles 1 Omohyoid (inferior belly) Ansa cervicalis (C1–C3)
attached to the Scapula (source: anatomyqa.com). (C) Osteotomal
innervations of the scapula (source: nysora.com).
analgesia for patients undergoing scapular surgery. Innervation of
scapula (figure 2) includes.
postsurgical inflammation, and microfractures. Knowledge of the
pain generating structures is essential to identify target nerves to be Dermatomes
blocked. For multifactorial pain, multimodal analgesia is considered The skin over the back of the scapula (figure 2A) is supplied by
as the best modality, of which RA is one of the key components. 1. Supraclavicular nerve (C3–C4).
2. Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6).
INNERVATIONS OF SCAPULA 3. Superior lateral cutaneous nerve (C5–C6).
Since scapular innervation is complicated, it is helpful to format an 4. Dorsal Rami C6–T5.
algorithm to identify the target nerves and target blocks needed to Target dermatomes to cover surgical area: C3–T5.
achieve optimum analgesia. The aim is to find a procedure-specific
RA technique for scapular fractures. After a detailed study of
dermatomes, myotomes, and osteotomes of the proposed surgery, Table 2 Procedure-specific target innervations
target nerves to be blocked are identified. Later, target blocks Surgical steps Structures involved Target innervations
involving those target nerves are selected and combined. The 3-step 1. Incision Skin from the tip of the Supraclavicular nerve (C3–C4)
algorithm includes acromion to the tip of Superior lateral cutaneous
1. Identify: identifying target nerves as per innervation of the the scapula nerve (C5–C6)
scapula. Dorsal rami T1–T5
2. Select: selecting procedure-specific target blocks to include 2. Superficial Deltoid muscle Axillary nerve (C5–C6)
identified target nerves. dissection Teres minor muscle Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
3. Combine: combining selected target blocks using different Infraspinatus muscle
approaches. 3. Deep dissection Posterior glenoid Axillary nerve (C5–C6)
capsule Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
4. Joint access Glenohumeral joint Axillary nerve (C5–C6)
Identifying target nerves for scapula surgery Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
The innervation of the surgical area, which includes skin Subcapsular nerve (C5–C6)
(dermatome), muscles (myotomes) and bones (osteotomes), plays Lateral pectoral nerve (C5–C7)
a crucial role in formulating any kind of block. The sensory inner- Musculocutaneous nerve
vation of the scapula arises primarily from the brachial plexus as (C5–C7)
the embryological origin of the scapula is very closely related to 5. Reduction and Dorsal scapular surface Suprascapular nerve (C5–C6)
the formation of the upper extremity.19 Thus, anesthetizing various platting Ventral scapular Subcapsular nerve (C5–C6)
surface
components of brachial plexus provides the best and suitable
346 Sonawane K, et al. Reg Anesth Pain Med 2021;46:344–349. doi:10.1136/rapm-2020-101819
Education
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
1. Anterior scapula: subscapular nerve (C5–C6).
2. Posterior scapula: suprascapular nerve (C5–C6).
3. Acromioclavicular joint: suprascapular nerve (C5–C6), later-
al pectoral nerve (C5–C7).
4. Anterior glenohumeral joint capsule:
a. Subscapular nerve (C5–C6) and axillary nerve (C5–C6)
from the posterior cord.
b. Lateral pectoral (C5–C7) and musculocutaneous nerve
(C5–C7) from the lateral cord.
5. Posterior glenohumeral joint capsule:
a. Suprascapular (C5–C6).
b. Axillary nerve (C5–C6).
Table 3 “Dual injection approach” with target nerves and target blocks
“Dual injection Target blocks Target innervations
approach” Technique involved covered
A.First injection Patient position: supine with head turned to the opposite side ►► Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Ultrasound probe: high-frequency linear ►► Interscalene block ►► Supraclavicular nerve (C3–C5)
Probe position: ►► Selective ►► Suprascapular nerve (C5–6)
Over the interscalene groove at the level of C7 supraclavicular ►► Axillary nerve (C5–6)
Possible LA volume: nerve block ►► Subscapular nerve (C5–6)
3–5 mL above C5 ►► Musculocutaneous nerve (C5–7)
3–5 mL around C6 ►► Lateral pectoral nerve (C5–7)
3–5 mL around C7 ►► Medial pectoral nerve (C5–7)
3–5 mL around the supraclavicular nerve between SCM and MSM
B.Second injection Patient position: lateral decubitus with operating side above ►► Dorsal rami of C6–T5
Ultrasound probe: high-frequency linear ►► Erector spinae plane
Probe position: block at T2
Longitudinally at the parasagittal transverse view at the level of the T2 vertebra
Possible LA volume:
15–20 mL under erector spinae muscle and above the tip of the transverse process of
T2.
LA, local anesthetic.
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
►► Mostly for analgesia rather than anesthesia due to chances
of sparing.
►► The second injection at T2 involves dorsal rami of C6–T5
supplying skin over the back, which is not covered in any of
the approaches of brachial plexus.
Disadvantages
►► Higher LA volume in the interscalene region is required to
involve C5, C6 and C7 nerve roots. This increases the inci-
dence of hemidiaphragmatic paresis (due to involvement of
phrenic nerve) and Horner’s syndrome.24
►► Lower interscalene block is associated with vertebral artery
injury.
►► Chances of sparing of innervations having contributions
from lower cervical roots (below C7) in case of variations
like postfixed brachial plexus.
►► Chances of sparing of innervations having contributions
from upper cervical roots (above C5) in case of variations
like prefixed brachial plexus. Such innervation may include
important nerves like DSN and SSN.
Table 4 “Triple injection approach” with target nerves and target blocks
“Triple injection
approach” Technique Target blocks Target innervations
A.First injection Patient position: supine with head turned to the opposite side
Ultrasound probe: high-frequency linear ►► Selective upper trunk block ►► Dorsal scapular nerve (C5)
Probe position: ►► Selective Supraclavicular ►► Supraclavicular nerve
Over the interscalene groove at the level of C6 Nerve Block (C3–C5)
Possible LA volume: ►► Suprascapular nerve (C5–6)
2–3 mL above C5
2–3 mL above C6
3–5 mL around the supraclavicular nerve between SCM and MSM
B.Second injection Patient position: supine with head turned to opposite site Ultrasound probe:
high-f requency linear ►► Subclavian Perivascular Block ►► Axillary nerve (C5–6)
Probe position: ►► Anterior Suprascapular Nerve ►► Subscapular nerve (C5–6)
over supraclavicular region Block ►► Musculocutaneous nerve
Possible LA volume: (C5–7)
10–15 mL in the subclavian perivascular area ►► Lateral pectoral nerve (C5–7)
2–3 mL around the suprascapular nerve below the omohyoid muscle ►► Medial pectoral nerve (C5–7)
C.Third injection Patient position: lateral decubitus with operating side above ►► Dorsal rami of C6–T5
Ultrasound probe: high-frequency linear ►► Erector spinae plane block
Probe position: at T2
longitudinally at the parasagittal transverse view at the level of the T2 vertebra
Possible LA volume:
15–20 mL under erector spinae muscle and above the tip of T2
LA, local anesthetic.
Reg Anesth Pain Med: first published as 10.1136/rapm-2020-101819 on 13 October 2020. Downloaded from http://rapm.bmj.com/ on October 12, 2022 by guest. Protected by copyright.
►► Suitable to involve all the variations of the brachial plexus. 2 Ada JR, Miller ME. Scapular fractures. Analysis of 113 cases. Clin Orthop Relat Res
►► The third injection at T2 involves dorsal rami of C6–T5 1991:174–80.
3 Parakkal AD. Total Scapulectomy under regional anaesthesia- a case report. Indian J
supplying skin over the back, which is not covered in any of Anaesth 2002;46:212.
the approaches of brachial plexus. 4 Auyong DB, Cabbabe AA. Selective blockade of the dorsal scapular nerve for scapula
►► It can be considered for anesthesia as well as analgesia surgery. J Clin Anesth 2014;26:684–7.
purpose. 5 Kilicaslan A, Hacibeyoglu G, Goger E, et al. Combined erector spinae plane and
interscalene brachial plexus block for surgical anesthesia of scapula fracture. J Clin
Disadvantages
Anesth 2019;54:166–7.
►► May require sedation to avoid discomfort to the patient due 6 Breen TW, Haigh JD. Continuous suprascapular nerve block for analgesia of scapular
to the requirement of three injections to involve all target fracture. Can J Anaesth 1990;37:786–8.
nerves. 7 Fu P, Weyker PD, Webb CAJ. Case report of serratus plane catheter for pain
management in a patient with multiple rib fractures and an inferior scapular fracture.
A & A Case Reports 2017;8:132–5.
SUMMARY 8 Curran BP, Phillips CR, Swisher MW. Finneran JJ 4th. continuous paravertebral nerve
For scapular surgeries, important target nerves are suprascapular block for scapula fracture analgesia: a case report. A A Pract 2020;14:e01245.
nerve (C5–C6), axillary nerve (C5–C6), musculocutaneous nerve 9 Tulgar S, Thomas DT, Deveci U, et al. Ultrasound guided rhomboid intercostal
(C5–C7), lateral pectoral nerve (C5–C7), subscapular nerves block provides effective analgesia for excision of elastofibroma extending to the
subscapular space: the first report of use in anesthesia practice. J Clin Anesth
(C5–C6) along with supraclavicular nerve (C3–C4) and dorsal 2019;52:34–5.
rami (C6–T5) which cover most of the dermatomes, myotomes, 10 ATHAWALE MC, JOSHI MM. Additional head of subscapularis muscle. Journal of
and osteotomes. Due to the complex innervation of the surgical Anatomical Society of India 1975;24:82.
field, such unique combinations given via different approaches 11 Rowe CR. Fractures of the scapula. Surg Clin North Am 1963;43:1565–71.
are required. Using such combinations of blocks involving multi- 12 Rockwood CJ, Matsen III FA. The shoulder. Vol 1. 4th ed. Philadephia: Saunders
Elsevier, 2009.
injection techniques demands adequate sedation, along with 13 Scapular fractures. Anatomical review, classifications and associated injuries.
cooperation from the patient. Available: https://epos.m yesr.org/poster/esr/e ssr2015/P-0125
This “Identify-Select-Combine” approach can be considered 14 Goss TP. Double disruptions of the superior shoulder suspensory complex. J Orthop
for all complexly innervated structures like scapula to find out Trauma 1993;7:99–106.
15 Fracture of the shoulder blade (scapula), 2020. Available: https://www.koc-pa.com/
procedure-specific optimal RA technique. There is still much
fracture-of-the-shoulder-blade-kansas-orthopaedic-center.html
scope for research in RA for scapular surgery. 16 McGinnis M, Denton JR. Fractures of the scapula: a retrospective study of 40 fractured
scapulae. J Trauma 1989;29:1488–93.
Correction notice This article has been corrected. Typographical errors within the 17 Cole PA. Scapula fractures: open reduction internal fixation. In: Wiss DA, ed. Fractures.
bullet points have been corrected. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006: 15–36.
18 Judet R. Surgical treatment of scapular fractures. Acta Orthop Belg 1964;30:673–8.
Acknowledgements The authors thank Dheenadhayalan J., Senior Consultant,
19 Cochard L. Netter’s Atlas of Human Embryology. 1st ed. Teterboro (NJ): Icon Learning
Orthopedics and Traumatology, for sharing surgical information and radiological
Systems LLC, 2002: 185–8..
images.
20 Hilton J. On rest and pain: a course of lectures on the influence of mechanical
Contributors KBS conceived the idea with the help of HD and HT and collaborated and physiological rest in the treatment of accidents and surgical diseases, and the
with JBS in developing the manuscript. VG provided guidance throughout the entire diagnostic value of pain, delivered at the Royal College of Surgeons of England in the
process. years 1860, 1861, and 1862 1863.
Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any 21 Bloc S, Rontes O, Mercadal L, et al. Low approach to Interscalene brachial plexus
funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors. block. Anesthesia & Analgesia 2011;113:1282.
22 Park SK, Sung MH, Suh HJ, et al. Ultrasound guided low approach Interscalene
Competing interests None declared. brachial plexus block for upper limb surgery. Korean J Pain 2016;29:18–22.
Patient consent for publication Not required. 23 Valdés-Vilches LF, Sánchez-del Águila MJ. Anesthesia for clavicular fracture:
selective supraclavicular nerve block is the key. Reg Anesth Pain Med
Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed. 2014;39:258–9.
24 Riazi S, Carmichael N, Awad I, et al. Effect of local anaesthetic volume (20 vs 5 ml) on
ORCID iD
the efficacy and respiratory consequences of ultrasound-guided interscalene brachial
Kartik Sonawane http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9277-5505
plexus block. Br J Anaesth 2008;101:549–56.
25 Gurumoorthi P, Mistry T, Sonawane KB, et al. Ultrasound guided selective upper trunk
REFERENCES block for clavicle surgery. Saudi J Anaesth 2019;13:394–5.
1 Court-Brown CH, McQueen MM, Tornetta P. Trauma (shoulder girdle). Philadelphia, 26 Vagh F, Baker E, Arndt C, et al. Anterior approach to the Suprascapular nerve. Reg
PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 2006: p.68–88. Anesth Pain Med 2017;42:680.