J Korean Orthop Assoc.  2021 Jun;56(3):245-252. 10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.3.245.

Surgical Management of Comminuted Midshaft Clavicle Fractures Using Reconstruction Plate and Circumferential Wiring: Does the Circumferential Wiring Interfere with the Bone Union?

• Kim KT
• Shin CS
• Park YC
• Kim Dh
• Kim MW

• KMID: 2516656
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4055/jkoa.2021.56.3.245

Abstract

Purpose
This study examined the radiological and clinical outcomes of internal fixation using a reconstruction plate and 21G circumferential wire in comminuted midshaft clavicular fractures.
Materials and Methods
A retrospective cohort study was performed on 51 patients between 2005 and 2019. Thirty-two patients underwent internal fixation with a reconstruction plate and a 21G circumferential wire with minimal soft tissue detachment, and 19 patients underwent surgery without a wire. The patients were assessed with the radiographic parameters, the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) score, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score. Based on this, patients who operated without a circumferential wire were set as the control group, and the differences in bone union between the two groups were compared.
Results
Thirty-two patients were followed-up for an average of 65 weeks, and 19 patients in the control group were followed-up for an average of 56 weeks. The radiological evaluation confirmed the anatomical reduction and bone union in all 32 patients. No case of nonunion was present. The UCLA score was 32.38 on average and 33.11 in the control group (p=0.395). The VAS score was 1.00 on average and 0.84 in the control group (p=0.668). A significant difference in the bony union time was observed between the group who underwent internal fixation with a reconstruction plate and a 21G circumferential wire with minimal soft tissue detachment, and the control group (p=0.015). On the other hand, there was no statistical significance when other variables were controlled (p=0.107).
Conclusion
For displaced midshaft clavicular fractures, internal fixation using a reconstruction plate and 21G circumferential wire maintained accurate anatomical reduction. The satisfactory clinical and radiological results mean that internal fixation using a reconstruction plate and 21G circumferential wire may be a good option for surgical treatment.

Keyword

midshaft clavicular fracture; comminuted fracture; reconstruction plate; circumferential wiring