Open Access Review Article DOI: 10.7759/cureus.1923 Winged Scapula: A Comprehensive Review of Surgical Treatment Marc Vetter 1 , Ordessia Charran 2 , Emre Yilmaz 3 , Bryan Edwards 2 , Mitchel A. Muhleman 2 , Rod J. Oskouian 4 , R. Shane Tubbs 5 , Marios Loukas 2 1. Seattle Science Foundation 2. Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University School of Medicine, Grenada, West Indies 3. Swedish Medical Center, Swedish Neuroscience Institute 4. Neurosurgery, Swedish Neuroscience Institute 5. Neurosurgery, Seattle Science Foundation Corresponding author: Marc Vetter,
[email protected] Abstract Winged scapula is caused by paralysis of the serratus anterior or trapezius muscles due to damage to the long thoracic or accessory nerves, resulting in loss of strength and range of motion of the shoulder. Because this nerve damage can happen in a variety of ways, initial diagnosis may be overlooked. This paper discusses the anatomical structures involved in several variations of winged scapula, the pathogenesis of winged scapula, and several historical and contemporary surgical procedures used to treat this condition. Additionally, this review builds upon the conclusions of several studies in order to suggest areas for continued research regarding the treatment of winged scapula. Categories: Pain Management, Neurosurgery, Orthopedics Keywords: winged scapula, winging of scapula, accessory nerve, long thoracic nerve, trapezius, serratus anterior, scapulopexy, eden-lange method Introduction And Background In 1723, Winslow published the first description of scapular winging [1-2]. The most common etiology of winged scapula is serratus anterior palsy caused from traumatic or iatrogenic damage to the long thoracic nerve [3-5]. Less frequently observed is a winged scapula resulting from trapezius palsy.