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Reconstruction plate fixation, IM nailing may offer similar outcomes
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Patients with midshaft clavicular fractures who underwent fixation experienced similar functional results, time to union, levels of postoperative pain and patient satisfaction rates with either reconstruction plate fixation or elastic stable intramedullary nailing, according to recently published study findings.
Researchers randomly assigned 59 patients with displaced midshaft clavicular fractures to receive fixation with either a reconstruction plate or elastic stable intramedullary nailing. Primary outcomes included 6-month Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) score, and secondary outcomes included the Constant-Murley score, time to fracture union, residual shortening, level of postoperative pain, percentage of satisfied patients and complication rates.
Results showed patients in the plate group had a mean 6-month DASH score of 9.9 points vs. 8.5 points in the nail group. The researchers found no differences between the two groups in the 12-month DASH and Constant-Murley scores.
Time to union in the plate group was 16.8 weeks and 15.9 weeks in the nail group. According to study results, residual shortening was 0.4 cm greater in the plate group. Both groups experienced similar VAS pain scores and satisfaction rates, and there were no differences in terms of major complications. Results also showed more frequent implant-related pain in the nail group. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.
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