[Complications after intramedullary stabilization of clavicle fractures]

Operative treatment of clavicle fractures by intramedullary nailing with titanium elastic nailing (TEN) has been established as an alternative to plate osteosynthesis for many years. The main complication after TEN osteosynthesis is nail migration. The goal of this study was evaluation of predictors for medial nail migration and comparison with plate osteosynthesis.

A retrospective analysis of electronic patient charts, surgical protocols and radiographs of all operatively treated clavicle shaft fractures between 2010-2014 (n = 141) was performed. When evaluating the patient charts and the surgical protocols special attention was paid to the fracture type, the duration of the operation, the need for an open reduction and the onset of complications as well as the duration until implant removal. Radiographs were analyzed concerning the implant location and an implant migration.

Surgery time (39 vs. 83 min) as well as the time to implant removal (226 vs. 495 days) were significantly reduced (p = 0.00), while complication (39% vs. 21.4%) as well as reoperation rates (15% vs. 7.1%; p = 0.033) were increased in TEN compared to plate osteosynthesis. The main complication was medial nail migration. The following predictors regarding medial migration could be identified: open or closed reduction (p = 0.021), multifragmentary fractures (p = 0.049), oblique fractures (p = 0.08) and TEN thickness (33% at 2 mm, 0% at 3 mm).

Advantages of TEN are a shorter surgery time as well as a shorter duration until implant removal. The TEN osteosynthesis led to a significantly increased complication rate, with nail migration representing the major reason. When predictors for medial TEN migration are considered, type B and C fractures can also be sufficiently treated by a large diameter TEN.