J Korean Fract Soc.  2002 Oct;15(4):545-550.

Internal fixation with K-wires for the clavicular shaft fractures in young women

• Kim DY
• Park YW
• Im GI
• Lim CK
• Lee SS
• Park HC

Abstract

PURPOSE: To know the advantages and disadvantages of this procedure by analyzing the results of internal fixation with K-wires for clavicular shaft fractures in young women.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twelve patients were followed for more than 1 year after the operation. All patients were female and average age was 28 years with average follow-up of 14 months. All cases were displaced fractures of the middle third with tenting of the skin and 2 cases were type 1 open fractures. After the operation, we investigated time to union, changes of K-wire, scar and disadvantages periodically.
RESULTS
There was no nonunion and time to union averaged 11.8 weeks. Migration and bending of the K-wires occured in one case. The length of surgical scar was about 4cm and the K-wires were easily removed under local anesthesia. But all patients complained of frequent radiographic evaluation, relatively long period of immobilization and irritation of the K-wires on medial part of the clavicle.
CONCLUSION
We think that internal fixation with the K-wires is one of the effective treatment options for the clavicular shaft fractures in young women.

Keyword

Clavicle; shaft fracture; K-wire

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Local
Cicatrix
Clavicle
Female
Follow-Up Studies
Fractures, Open
Humans
Immobilization
Skin