Clinical Outcome of Percutaneous Intramedullary Fixation for Midshaft Clavicular Fractures Using Elastic Stable Nails

Abstract

Background: This study investigated the clinical outcomes of fixation of displaced middle-third clavicular fractures using percutaneous elastic stable intramedullary nails.

Material and methods: This study included sixty patients with a mean age of 26.40 ± 8.91 years (16-53 years) presented with a displaced middle third fracture of the clavicle. According to the Robinson classification, 48 cases (80%) were type 2B1, 9 cases (15%) type 2B2 and 3 case (5%) 2A1. All cases were treated by elastic intramedullary nails and followed up for at least 12 months.

Results: At the end of the twelve months' follow-up period, the mean Constant Shoulder score was 95.70 ± 13.55, ranging from 48 to 100. 54 patients (90%) had excellent results, 3 patients (5%) had an adequate result and 3 patients (5%) had a poor result. There was a statistically significant relationship between the final score and age and associated medical conditions.

Conclusions: 1. Elastic Stable Intramedullary Nailing is an image-dependent procedure indicated best for young medically free athletes with simple 2-part middle third clavicle fracture. 2. Hammering is not recommended to avoid dorsolateral cortex perforation. 3. The most common complication is medial skin irritation because of the subcutaneous position of the clavicle as well as the sharp end of the cut nail.

Keywords: clavicle fractures; intramedullary nails; surgery.