May 18, 2017
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Dual mini-fragment plating technique yielded low rates of secondary surgery

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Patients with clavicular shaft fractures treated with a dual mini-fragment plating technique experienced low rates of secondary surgery due to symptomatic implant removal, according to results.

Researchers identified 81 patients (77.8% were men) with clavicular shaft fractures treated with open reduction and internal fixation using a dual mini-fragment plating technique. Patients had a minimum follow-up of 12 months. Main outcome measures included the incidence of secondary surgery and QuickDASH scores.

Results showed 7.4% of patients underwent secondary surgery for implant removal. Of these patients, investigators noted 3.7% underwent symptomatic implant removal; 2.5% required implant removal due to infection; and 1.2% of patients required revision open reduction and internal fixation for early implant failure. Results noted a mean QuickDASH score of 8.44 and a mean surgical time of 97 minutes. Compared with the cost of a single, 3.5-mm precontoured anatomic plate with one lag screw and six cortical screws, according to results, the implant cost of a typical construct in this series was $1,511.38. – by Casey Tingle

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.