Midshaft Clavicular Fractures - Osteosynthesis with Minimally Invasive Technique

Area of Science:

• Orthopaedics and Traumatology
• Surgical Innovation

Background:

• Clavicle fractures are highly prevalent in orthopaedic practice.
• Understanding trauma mechanisms and pathophysiology is crucial for effective treatment and complication reduction.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) for clavicle fractures.
• To assess the efficacy and safety of MIPO in a patient cohort.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of 12 patients treated with MIPO for clavicle fractures between January 2011 and March 2013.
• Mean patient age was 47.5 years (range, 16-79 years).
• Clinical outcomes and complications were analyzed.

Main Results:

• All 12 fractures healed successfully within a mean of 4.9 months (range, 2-10 months).
• No implant failures, deep infections, or nonunions were reported; one delayed union occurred in an elderly patient.
• Most cases did not require plate bending, and no new incisions were necessary for plate removal.

Conclusions:

• Pre-contoured, anatomically designed plates simplify MIPO application for clavicle fractures.
• MIPO presents a favorable treatment option for midshaft clavicle fractures, demonstrating good outcomes and a low complication rate.