J Korean Orthop Assoc.  1996 Apr;31(2):211-217. 10.4055/jkoa.1996.31.2.211.

Intramedullary Nailing with Knowles Pin for the Clavicle Shaft Fracture

• Wang JM
• Roh KJ
• Yun YH
• Kim DJ
• Ji IH

• KMID: 2423597
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.1996.31.2.211

Abstract

In the review of a series of 71 clavicle shaft fracture that were treated with open reduction and internal fixation, we tried a direct comparison between two fixation modes, that is, the fixation with plate and screws (54 cases) and the intramedullary nailing with Knowles pin (17 cases). The average time to healing was not significantly different between the two group; 10.8 weeks after the plating and 11.7 weeks with Knowles pinning. The rate of successful healing within four months after the surgery were also high in both groups: one delayed union and one nonunion in the plate group, and one delayed union in the Knowles pin group. There was one loosening in the Knowles pin group, which needed reoperation. Intramedullary fixation has several advantages compared with fixation with a plate and screws. It can be performed through a shorter incision: less dissection of soft tissue is needed: and, after healing, the pin is easily removed through a small incision under local anesthesia.

Keyword

Clavicle shaft; Fracture; Knowles pin

MeSH Terms

Anesthesia, Local
Clavicle*
Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary*
Reoperation