Can I Get 3cms of Clavicle Reduction On Each Side?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am interested in shoulder reduction surgery and I am looking for 3cm reduction on each side of the shoulder. I am wondering if such reduction is feasible.

A:In clavicle reduction osteotomy is the typical length of bone removed his 2.5 cm per side. In some rare cases it may bone possible do as much as 2.75 or 3 cm but that would require a very long clavicle bone which usually only occurs in a tall patient over 6 feet. The limitations of bone removal in clavicle reduction surgery is the ability to apply the plates on the remaining straight segment of bone which has now been shortened and the inner and outer curved sections of the bone are now closer together. As a result you don’t know until actually during the procedure whether you can exceed the usual 2.5 cm of bone removal per side.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon