Plate fixation for acute clavicular shaft fractures

Setting
A study carried out in Kasr Al, Aini School of medicine and New Kasr Al-Aini Teaching Hospital, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Aim of the work
To assess the efficacy of the primary treatment of clavicular shaft fractures by plate fixation in terms of functional outcome.
Methods and study design
During the period between March 2008 and August 2010, we carried out a prospective study that included 20 patients with displaced clavicular shaft fractures who were treated with primary open reduction and internal fixation with 3.5mm reconstruction plates.
Results
All the fractures achieved clinical union at a mean of 11 weeks. According to the DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand) Scoring System [1], the results were excellent in 16 patients, good in three patients, and fair in one patient.
Conclusion
Open reduction and internal fixation of displaced clavicular shaft fractures improve the functional outcomes and can lead to early return to activities, preventing unacceptably high complication rates of nonoperative management of these fractures.