title: Two-team simultaneous open surgical treatment in bilateral shoulder fracture dislocation.
abstract: Different surgical options have been described for the treatment of bilateral shoulder fracture dislocations. We report 2 cases of bilateral shoulder fracture dislocation treated simultaneously by 2 surgical teams. One case had bilateral hemiarthroplasty performed, and the second case had 1 hemiarthroplasty and McLaughlin procedure on the other shoulder. A device to allow holding the patient in a bend chair position, with both shoulders hanging outside the operative table, allowing their free movement, was designed. At 1-year follow-up, neither of the patients had complications and both are pleased with their early result. Simultaneous treatment of both the shoulders by 2 different surgical teams in bilateral shoulder fracture dislocations that need surgical treatment has the advantages of reduced overall hospitalization time, reduced anesthetic risk, faster return to work, and reduced overall cost of care. The decision for simultaneous bilateral shoulder surgery must be made in concert with the patient, medical consultant, and anesthesiologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Level IV-case series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedics, Instituto Allende de Cirugía Reconstructiva de los Miembros, Universidad Católica de Córdoba, Córdoba, Argentina. christian_allende@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Allende
authors.forename: Damian
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Bustos
authors.forename: Pablo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bruno
authors.forename: Horacio
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Galera
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D062785:Hemiarthroplasty / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012783:Shoulder Dislocation / Q000601:surgery*; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000601:surgery*