Dual Mini-Fragment Plating is Comparable to Precontoured Small Fragment Plating for Operative Diaphyseal Clavicle Fractures: A Retrospective Cohort Study. Journal of orthopaedic trauma DeBaun, M. R., Chen, M. J., Campbell, S. T., Goodnough, L. H., Lai, C., Salazar, B. P., Bishop, J. A., Gardner, M. J. 2019

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To compare precontoured (Pc) small fragment plating to dual mini-fragment plating (DmF) for open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) of diaphyseal clavicle fractures.DESIGN: Retrospective Cohort SETTING:: Level 1 Trauma CenterPatients/Participants: A total of 133 patients with displaced fractures of the diaphyseal clavicle (OTA/AO 15-B1, -2, and -3) treated with ORIF with a minimum of 1 year follow up or until radiographic and clinical union.INTERVENTION: Two patient cohorts were identified: 1) patients treated with orthogonal DmF plate constructs and 2) patients treated with Pc clavicle-specific plates.OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Union rate and implant removal were assessed using standard descriptive statistics. Odds ratios (OR), 95% confidence intervals (CI), and p-values (p) were calculated.RESULTS: There were 60 DmF and 74 Pc patients. There were no significant differences between groups with respect to age, gender, surgeon, body mass index, or mode of fixation. There was no significant difference in union (98.3% DmF; 100% Pc, p=0.45) or maintenance of reduction (98.3% DmF; 100% Pc, p=0.45). A total of 8% of DmF patients had symptomatic implant removal compared to 20% of Pc patients (OR 0.36, CI 0.12-1.05, p=0.061).CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective comparative study found no difference in union or maintenance of reduction for diaphyseal clavicle fractures fixed with DmF compared to Pc plating. Patients treated with DmF plates may have lower rates of symptomatic implant removal.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Therapeutic Level III.

View details for DOI 10.1097/BOT.0000000000001727

View details for PubMedID 31868765