[Osteotomy and osteosynthesis of the clavicle in brachial plexus surgery]

During the operative revision of the brachial plexus lesion the exposure is sometimes not wide enough without an osteotomy of the clavicle. The authors developed, therefore, a special technique consisting of internal fixation with a lag-screw prior to the oblique osteotomy of the clavicle. At the end of the operation stable internal fixation can be achieved within a few minutes. This internal fixation proved to be stable, even for passive mobilization in total plexus lesions in sixteen cases over a follow-up time over five years. Primary bone healing always occurred. The technique is described.