The Spaso technique: a prospective study of 34 dislocations.

BACKGROUND: The Spaso technique has been recently described as a new, simple, and effective manoeuvre for reducing anterior shoulder dislocation. However, there is a lack of series in the English literature. The aim of the study was to evaluate the results obtained with the introduction of this technique in an emergency department.

METHODS: An observational prospective study at the Hospital Clínic of Barcelona Orthopaedic Emergency Department was done from January 2007 to May 2007. In this period, the Spaso technique was applied in 36 anterior shoulder dislocations. Two of the patients were excluded due to a presentation later than 24 hours after the dislocation, leaving a total of 34 dislocations in 33 patients. They occurred in 22 male and 12 female shoulders. The patients' ages ranged from 21 to 80 years (average, 51 years). The success of the attempt, complications, and other data were collected.

RESULTS: The Spaso technique was successful in 23 (67.6%) of the 34 anterior shoulder dislocations. If just those patients with previous shoulder dislocations were taken into account, the success rate increased to 83%. No complications were observed.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results of the present study, we consider the Spaso technique as a safe and effective manoeuvre for the reduction of anterior shoulder dislocations, with an acceptable success rate similar to the classical techniques previously described.