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Observational Study
. 2024 Jul 1;38(7):351-357.
doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000002821.

Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment of Z-Type Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: A Prospective Substratified Cohort Analysis

Coleen S Sabatini  1 , Eric W Edmonds  2 , Jeffrey J Nepple  3 , Elizabeth S Liotta  4 , Katelyn Hergott  4 , Michael Quinn  4 , Crystal A Perkins  5 , Philip L Wilson  6 , Ying Li  7 , Henry B Ellis  6 , Nirav K Pandya  1 , Andrew T Pennock  2 , David D Spence  8 , Samuel C Willimon  5 , Donald S Bae  4 , Mininder S Kocher  4 , Michael T Busch  5 , David N Williams  4 , Benton E Heyworth  4
Affiliations
Observational Study

Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment of Z-Type Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: A Prospective Substratified Cohort Analysis

Coleen S Sabatini et al. J Orthop Trauma. .

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of nonoperative and operative treatment of adolescents with comminuted "Z-type" midshaft clavicle fractures.

Design: Prospective observational cohort.

Setting: Eight tertiary care pediatric centers.

Patient selection criteria: Patients aged 10-18 years who were treated either operatively or nonoperatively for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between 2013 and 2017 were screened/enrolled at the time of injury. The current subcohort analysis was derived from a larger adolescent clavicle study population of 907 patients.

Outcome measurements and comparisons: Complications and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROs):(ASES, QuickDASH, Marx Shoulder Activity Score, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, and patient satisfaction score) were compared between operative and nonoperative cohorts.

Results: Eighty-one patients (69 male [85.2%], 12 female; average age 15 years [11.1-18.7]; 78 with sports participation [96.2%]) were followed through bony healing and return to sports, while 59 patients (73%) completed 2-year follow-up with PROs, 26 of whom were treated nonoperatively and 33 treated operatively. All demographic and fracture characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) between the 2-year follow-up cohorts except for fracture shortening, which was greater in the operative cohort (23 vs. 29 mm, P = 0.01). After controlling for this potential confounder through both regression and propensity matched subgroup analysis, nonoperative versus operative cohorts showed no difference in rates of nonunion (0%), delayed union (0% vs. 2.3%, P = 1.0), symptomatic malunion (2.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.4), refracture (2.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 1.0), unexpected subsequent surgery (5.4% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.45), or clinically significant complications (5.4% vs. 16%, P = 0.17). There were no differences in any PROs between cohorts, both before and after controlling for the difference in fracture shortening (all P-values >0.05).

Conclusions: In this prospective comparison of complications and 2-year PROs in adolescents with comminuted Z-type clavicle fractures, nonoperative and operative treatment yielded similar outcomes.

Level of evidence: Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

References

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