Case report: reconstruction of a recalcitrant scapular neck nonunion and literature review

We present the first reported treatment failure of a reconstructed scapula body that proceeded to nonunion. This is a unique case report of an otherwise healthy patient who underwent open reduction and internal fixation of a scapula fracture nonunion, which is very rare. Failure of internal fixation in this application has not been reported, and, to our knowledge, this is only the fifth case report of a scapula body nonunion that was reconstructed. Of 159 reported cases of open reduction and internal fixation for treatment of scapula neck and body fractures (with or without intraarticular glenoid fractures), there is not one reported case of a nonunion. Our case is described in detail, including the method of surgical reconstruction, and a review of the literature regarding surgical treatment of scapula nonunions after nonoperative treatment also is presented.