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Low rate of complications found with precontoured locking plates
Compared with traditional plates, precontoured locking plates used to treat displaced midshaft clavicular fractures achieved satisfactory clinical results with a low rate of complications, as well as a low rate of hardware removal, according to study results.
Researchers surgically treated 72 patients with displaced midshaft clavicular fractures from November 2008 to December 2012 and retrospectively evaluated 68 patients who underwent 68 interventions. Constant score, an 11-item version of the QuickDASH questionnaire and radiographs were used to assess postoperative functional outcomes, and the VAS was used to subjectively assess pain. The researchers also recorded complications and asked patients whether they were able to return to their previous employment level. The follow-up period lasted a mean of 23.6 months.
Results showed an average value of 97.8 points for the Constant score, of 1.8 points for the QuickDASH and of 0.4 points for VAS scores. The researchers found 98.5% of patients were able to return to their regular work at the last follow-up.
According to study results, 15 complications occurred, with subclavian vein extrinsic compression in one patient, nonunion in one patient and hardware loosening in one patient considered major. Overall, 13.2% of patients required hardware removal, according to the researchers. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.