Search

Background: Clavicle fractures are among the most frequent injuries of the shoulder girdle. Nondisplaced fractures are generally treated conservatively, whereas dislocated fractures require surgical reduction and stabilization. A variety of implants and surgical techniques with reliable results are available. While all techniques provide similar healing rates, they share a common disadvantage with the high incidence of implant irritation and correspondingly high rates of second interventions for material removal., Objective: The various surgical techniques for clavicle shaft fractures with their specific areas of application as well as advantages and disadvantages are presented. This review also provides an aid for deciding which surgical technique is most appropriate based on the fracture morphology. Furthermore, an overview of current research activities is presented, with a specific focus on new implants which could help to reduce implant irritation., Results and Conclusion: Open superior and anteroinferior plate osteosyntheses each show similar reliable results. The minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique offers an alternative for multifragmented fractures as it has a lower complication rate compared to the open procedure. Double plate osteosynthesis using minifragment plates shows promising results with respect to the incidence of implant-related irritation. Larger prospective studies are still pending. Intramedullary nailing offers a good alternative, especially if material removal is planned anyway, e.g., in the pediatric setting., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Objective: The aim of surgical treatment is fracture healing with restored alignment, rotation, and joint surface. Stable fixation allows for functional postoperative aftercare., Indications: Displaced intra- and extra-articular fractures which either could not be adequately reduced or in which a secondary displacement is to expected due to instability criteria. The following factors are considered instability criteria: age > 60 years, female, initial dorsal displacement > 20°, dorsal comminution, radial shortening > 5 mm, palmar displacement., Contraindications: The only absolute contraindication is if the patient is deemed unfit for surgery due to concerns regarding anesthesia. Old age is a relative contraindication, as it is currently debated whether older patients benefit from the operation., Surgical Technique: The surgical technique is guided by the fracture pattern. Palmar plating is most commonly performed. If the joint surface needs to be visualized, a dorsal approach (in combination with another approach or alone) or arthroscopically assisted fixation should be chosen., Postoperative Management: In general, a functional postoperative regime can be carried out after plate fixation with mobilization without weightbearing. Short-term splinting can provide pain relief. Concomitant ligamentous injuries and fixations, which are not stable enough for functional aftercare (such as k‑wires) require a longer period of immobilization., Results: Provided the fracture is reduced correctly, osteosynthesis improves functional outcome. The complication rate ranges between 9 and 15% with the most common complication being tendon irritation/rupture and plate removal. Whether surgical treatment holds the same benefits for patients > 65 years as for younger patients is currently under debate., (© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Medizin Verlag GmbH, ein Teil von Springer Nature.)