Can Shoulder Width Reduction Be Done As Much As 4cms Per Side?

Q: Dr. Eppley, I am intending to go through with a shoulder width recution via a “Clavicular Osteotomy” And would like to know the price you would charge for the named procedure if possible. Furthermore I would like to know if you have found success in resecting a little more “Aggressively” beyond the initial 2.5cm conservative limit. As I would personally be hoping for 4cm from each clavicle to achieve my goals and would be more than happy to be a “Trial run” to achieve that and help with your clinical outcome research. 

In addition I would like to inquire about rib resections. Specifically if you have performed any clinical trials on successful upper rib resections for reducing a wide chest, and if so what sort of price you would charge and what waiver I as a patient would need to sign before going ahead with a procedure of that kind. As I say, I am an extremely motivated patient in that regard and am well informed of the risks associated with such a procedure.

A: In answer to your shoulder width reduction questions:

1) Reducing more than 3cms per side (clavicle reduction is problematic as the distal end of the clavicle causes too much inward shoulder rotation.

2) You can not reduce a wide ribcage above rib # 9 as it relates to a narrowing or inward movement on the sides. There are just too many ribs that would have to he resected to have the desired aesthetic effect and that would create serious pulmonary problems.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana