Osteosynthesis of Clavicle Fractures - an Overview of Complications and Causes of Failure

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The study aimed to find out whether the higher rate of complications described in literature in the case of plate and intramedullary osteosynthesis of clavicle fractures is high enough to discredit one of these methods. MATERIAL AND METHODS In the period from July 2007 to March 2016, a total of 151 osteosyntheses of diaphyseal clavicle fractures were performed in 149 patients (106 men, 43 women). The plate as well as intramedullary techniques were used in this group of patients. The follow-up of 12 months was completed in 125 patients (91 men, 34 women). The age of patients ranged from 15 to 74 years. The postoperative rehabilitation with no load applied started immediately by elevating the arm up to 90 degrees abduction for 3 weeks, which was followed by full range of motion exercises. The load was set based on the radiological finding. The number of complications, including the failure of osteosynthesis, was assessed. RESULTS Some kind of a whole range of complications (postoperative discomfort, infection, failure of osteosynthesis, non-union) occurred in 37 patients (29.6%), with osteosynthesis failing in six of them (4.8%), always within 6 months after the surgery. No later failure was reported. A statistically significant difference was observed only when comparing the patients discomfort for individual surgical techniques, with poorer results in case of intramedullary osteosynthesis. (p<0.001). DISCUSSION The dominance of "discomfort" in intramedullary fixation was caused by soft tissue irritation by the edge of material projecting thereto. Once it was removed, the results of both the methods in terms of the number of complications were comparable. In all the cases, either an incorrect indication of respective osteosynthesis techniques, or a technically poor surgical performance were identified as the likely causes of failure of the osteosynthesis. CONCLUSIONS The osteosynthesis always failed due to a wrong indication or technical errors in the execution of osteosynthesis. The intramedullary osteosynthesis is indicated in simple two-part fractures. The plate osteosynthesis can be applied to multiple fragment fractures. In preoperative planning, a suitable method shall be opted for based on the type of the fracture and the basic principles shall be adhered to during the surgery.