Coronal transacromial osteotomy surgical approach for shoulder arthroplasty.

Thirty-one shoulder arthroplasties in 24 patients were reviewed in which a coronal transacromial osteotomy surgical approach was used. Three total shoulder and 28 hemiarthroplasty procedures were performed. The average follow up was 5 years, 2 months. All patients underwent examination, interview, functional scoring, and radiographic studies. Twenty-seven shoulders (87%) were rated as excellent or good, and four were rated as fair or poor. Average postoperative active forward flexion and abduction measured 112 degrees and 103 degrees, respectively. Radiographs showed 87% of the osteotomies went on to union. The radiographic nonunions were stable, fibrous unions that were asymptomatic and did not have lower scores than the remainder of the group. The approach appears to be a viable option for shoulder arthroplasty.