OBJECTIVE: To study the reconstructional method and effect of shoulder joint function in the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture deformity. METHODS: From April 1996 to July 1999, 7 patients of older obstetrical palsy were adopted in this study. Among them, there were 5 males and 2 females, aged from 13 to 21 years old. No previous operation history and the main deformity was medial rotation contracture of shoulder. During operation, these patients were treated with "Z"-shape elongation of the tendon of subscapular muscle, transfer of the tendons of latissimus dorsi and teres major muscle to the tendons of supraspinous and infraspinous muscles. RESULTS: Followed up for 6 to 44 months(averaged 19 months), the Gilbert grading and Mallet scoring were 1.57, 7.57 preoperatively versus 3.45, 10.86 postoperatively, the abduction and external rotation of the shoulder joints recovered obviously. CONCLUSION: It is an effective operation for the older obstetrical palsy with medial rotation contracture of shoulder.
