Multiple trauma and scapula fractures: so what?

Abstract

BACKGROUND Scapula fractures are rare and are presumed to indicate severe underlying trauma. We studied injury patterns and overall outcome in patients with multiple injuries with scapula fractures.

Methods: We carried out a retrospective review of patients with multiple injuries (Injury Severity Score [ISS] > or = 16) with chest and musculoskeletal injuries admitted to our institution between 1993 and 1999 to investigate whether the presence of a scapula fracture is a marker of increased morbidity and mortality.

Results: There were 1,164 patients admitted with multiple trauma. Seventy-nine (6.8%) of the 1,164 sustained a scapula fracture, forming the study group. The remainder of the patients (n = 1,085) formed the control group of the study. Both groups of patients were similar with regard to age and Glasgow Coma Scale score (age, 42 +/- 17.8 [+/- SD] vs. 40 +/- 22; GCS score, 11.2 +/- 5.1 vs. 11 +/- 5 in the study and control groups, respectively). The overall ISS was significantly higher in those with scapula fractures (27.12 +/- 15.13 vs. 22.8 +/- 14.4, p = 0.01). Patients with scapula fractures also had more severe chest injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale score of 3.46 +/- 1.1 vs. 3.1 +/- 1.0, respectively), but not significantly so. However, the incidence of rib fractures was significantly higher in the patients with scapula fractures (p < 0.05). The incidence and severity of head and abdominal injuries were similar in the two groups. The severity of extremity injuries in patients with scapula fractures was significantly lower (2.4 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.7, p = 0.001). The rate of admission, the length of intensive care unit stay, and the overall length of hospital stay were similar in the two groups. The overall mortality rate was 11.4% in patients with scapula fractures and 20% in those without scapula fractures (p = 0.1).

Conclusion: Patients with scapula fractures have more severe underlying chest injuries and overall ISS. However, this did not correlate with a higher rate of intensive therapy unit admission, length of hospital stay, or mortality.