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Minimally-Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis for Clavicle Fractures* * Study conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Patan Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Abstract

Objective

To analyze the radiological, clinical, and functional outcomes of clavicle fractures treated with the minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique.

Methods

From June 2018 to July 2019, 17 cases of clavicular fractures were managed using the MIPO technique under C-arm fluoroscopy. The functional outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley score and the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. The clinical results of union, the complications, the operative time, the hospital stay, as well as infection, were analyzed.

Results

The mean follow-up time was of 10.41 1.75 months (range: 8 to 14 months). There were 11 male and 6 female patients, with a mean age of 39.05 10.76 years (range: 22 to 57 years). All fractures united on the mean time of 15.35 3.08 weeks (range: 12 to 20 weeks). The mean operative time was of 98.11 13.83 minutes (range: 70 to 130 minutes), and the mean length of the hospital stay was of 4.7 1.12 days (range: 3 to 7 days). The mean Constant-Murley score was of 74.82 6.36 in 4th postoperstive month, and of 92.35 5.48 in the 8th postoperative month, which was statistically significant. The mean DASH score was of 9.94 1.55 in the 4th postoperative month, and of 5.29 1.85 in the 8th postoperative month, which was also statistically significant. One patient had superficial skin infection at the site of the incision.

Conclusions

The MIPO technique is an alternative method for the fixation of clavicle fractures, but it is technically more demanding, and requires well-equipped operating room facilities.

Keywords:
clavicle; fractures; bone; minimally-invasive surgical procedures; bone plates; fracture fixation; internal

Resumo

Objetivo

Analisar o resultado radiológico, clínico e funcional das fraturas da clavícula, tratadas pela técnica de osteossíntese com placa minimamente invasiva (MIPO).

Métodos

De junho de 2018 a julho de 2019, um total de 17 casos de fraturas claviculares foram tratadas com a técnica de osteossíntese com placa minimamente invasiva (MIPO), sob fluoroscopia com o braço em C. Os resultados funcionais foram avaliados por meio do escore de Constant-Murley e pelo escore de incapacidade do braço, ombro e mão (DASH). Foram analisados os resultados clínicos de consolidação, complicações, tempo cirúrgico, permanência hospitalar e infecção.

Resultados

O tempo médio de acompanhamento neste estudo foi de 10,41 1,75 meses (variação, 8 a 14 meses). Havia 11 pacientes do sexo masculino e seis do feminino, com média de idade de 39,05 10,76 anos (variação de 22 a 57 anos). Todas as fraturas se consolidaram no tempo médio de 15,35 3,08 semanas (variação, 12 a 20 semanas). O tempo cirúrgico médio foi de 98,11 13,83 minutos (variação, 70 a 130), sendo a permanência hospitalar média de 4,7 1,12 dias (variação de 3 a 7). O escore de Constant-Murley médio foi de 74,82 6,36 no 4° mês e 92,35 5,48 no 8° mês do pós-operatório, o que foi estatisticamente significativo. O escore DASH médio foi de 9,94 1,55 no 4° mês e 5,29 1,85 na 8ª semana do pós-operatório, também sendo estatisticamente significativo. Um paciente apresentou infecção cutânea superficial no local da incisão.

Conclusões

A técnica MIPO é um método alternativo para a fixação de fraturas da clavícula, porém é tecnicamente mais desafiador, já que necessita de instalações cirúrgicas mais bem equipadas.

Palavras-chave
clavícula; fraturas ósseas; procedimentos cirúrgicos minimamente invasivos; placas ósseas; fixação interna de fraturas

Introduction

Clavicle fractures are common fractures, which comprise 3% to 5% of all fractures, and 44% of fractures in the shoulder region in adults.11 Khan LA, Bradnock TJ, Scott C, Robinson CM. Fractures of the clavicle. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2009;91(02):447-460,22 Hehn FHS, Bonavides PSG, Oliveira Júnior AN, Silva HCG, Back Neto M, Stipp WN. Clinical Evaluation of the Surgical Treatment of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures at a Hospital in the South of Santa Catarina. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2020;55(01):100-105 In total, 65% to 80% of these fractures are located in the middle third, and ∼ 94% are caused by a direct blow to the shoulder.33 Nordqvist A, Petersson C. The incidence of fractures of the clavicle. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1994;(300):127-132,44 Rowe CR. An atlas of anatomy and treatment of midclavicular fractures. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1968;58(58):29-42,55 Stanley D, Trowbridge EA, Norris SH. The mechanism of clavicular fracture. A clinical and biomechanical analysis. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1988;70(03):461-464 In the past, conservative management of clavicular fractures used to be the first choice of treatment because of its good prognosis concerning healing and functional outcome.66 Eskola A, Vainionpää S, Myllynen P, Pätiälä H, Rokkanen P. Outcome of clavicular fracture in 89 patients. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 1986;105(06):337-338,77 Andersen K, Jensen PO, Lauritzen J. Treatment of clavicular fractures. Figure-of-eight bandage versus a simple sling. Acta Orthop Scand 1987;58(01):71-74 But more recent reports88 Stanley D, Norris SH. Recovery following fractures of the clavicle treated conservatively. Injury 1988;19(03):162-164,99 Robinson CM, Court-Brown CM, McQueen MM, Wakefield AE. Estimating the risk of nonunion following nonoperative treatment of a clavicular fracture. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2004;86(07): 1359-1365,1010 Hill JM, McGuire MH, Crosby LA. Closed treatment of displaced middle-third fractures of the clavicle gives poor results. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1997;79(04):537-539 have shown unsatisfactory results, such as fracture nonunion, brachial plexus irritation, cosmetic complaints, and restricted shoulder function due to nonsurgical management of severely displaced midshaft clavicular fractures.

There is an increasing incidence of complex patterns in clavicle fractures due to high-energy trauma and different kinds of sports activities.1111 Postacchini F, Gumina S, De Santis P, Albo F. Epidemiology of clavicle fractures. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2002;11(05): 452-456,1212 Souza NASM, Belangero PS, Figueiredo EA, Pochini AC, Andreoli CV, Ejnisman B. Displaced midshaft clavicle fracture in athletes should we operate? Rev Bras Ortop 2018;53(02):171-175 According to the literature,1010 Hill JM, McGuire MH, Crosby LA. Closed treatment of displaced middle-third fractures of the clavicle gives poor results. J Bone Joint Surg Br 1997;79(04):537-539,1212 Souza NASM, Belangero PS, Figueiredo EA, Pochini AC, Andreoli CV, Ejnisman B. Displaced midshaft clavicle fracture in athletes should we operate? Rev Bras Ortop 2018;53(02):171-175 the indications for surgical intervention include severe comminution, displacement and shortening of more than 1.5 cm or 2.0 cm, floating shoulder, polytrauma patients, and subcutaneous positioning of the fracture ends, leading to skin irritation etc. Nowadays, there is a trend toward the surgical management of clavicle fractures, and its advantages are the early recovery of function and lower rates of symptomatic malunion and nonunion.1313 Jiang H, Qu W. Operative treatment of clavicle midshaft fractures using a locking compression plate: comparison between miniinvasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique and conventional open reduction. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2012;98(06): 666-671,1414 Robinson CM, Goudie EB, Murray IR, et al. Open reduction and plate fixation versus nonoperative treatment for displaced midshaft clavicular fractures: a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2013;95(17):1576-1584 But open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) is not without complications, and the reported common complications are skin irritation due to hardware prominence, implant failure, numbness and paresthesia around the surgical scar, and infection.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197

The clavicle is a membranous bone with a predominantly periosteal vascular supply, and extensive periosteal stripping during open surgery may lead to nonunion and infection.1616 Zenni EJ Jr, Krieg JK, Rosen MJ. Open reduction and internal fixation of clavicular fractures. J Bone Joint Surg Am 1981;63 (01):147-151 Closed reduction and internal fixation can minimize the aforementioned complications. Intramedullary nailing is one option, but it doesn't maintain well the length or rotation in comminuted fractures, and nail migration or breakage may lead to dangerous complications.1717 Millett PJ, Hurst JM, Horan MP, Hawkins RJ. Complications of clavicle fractures treated with intramedullary fixation. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2011;20(01):86-91 Because of the popularity of biological fracture fixation, which leads to better fracture healing, the minimally-invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique is being applied to the management of clavicular shaft fractures, since nowadays the operating room facilities are better equipped, with the availability of C-arm fluoroscopy and C-arm-compatible operating tables; good clinical and radiological outcomes have been reported with MIPO in the fixation clavicle fractures.1313 Jiang H, Qu W. Operative treatment of clavicle midshaft fractures using a locking compression plate: comparison between miniinvasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPPO) technique and conventional open reduction. Orthop Traumatol Surg Res 2012;98(06): 666-671,1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,1818 Jung GH, Park CM, Kim JD. Biologic fixation through bridge plating for comminuted shaft fracture of the clavicle: technical aspects and prospective clinical experience with a minimum of 12-month follow-up. Clin Orthop Surg 2013;5(04):327-333,1919 Lee HJ, Oh CW, Oh JK, et al. Percutaneous plating for comminuted midshaft fractures of the clavicle: a surgical technique to aid the reduction with nail assistance. Injury 2013;44(04):465-470,2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683,2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12,2222 Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH, Song SJ. Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury 2015;46(11):2230-2238

Materials and Methods

A retrospective observational study was conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery of our institution, which was approved by the Institutional Review Committee. From June 2018 to July 2019, 17 cases of midshaft clavicular fractures (AO/OTA type B) were managed with the MIPO technique using C-arm fluoroscopy. The study included patients aged > 18 years with midshaft clavicle fractures that were completely displaced, with no cortical contact between fracture fragments, displaced fractures with marked shortening of more than 1.5 cm or 2.0 cm, fractures causing skin tenting, and comminuted fractures (Fig. 1). Fractures involving the lateral or medial third of the clavicle, open fractures, those that were pathological and bilateral, and those associated with neurovascular injuries or ipsilateral upper limb injuries were excluded from this study due to the lack of financial means to afford the locking compression plate.

Fig. 1
Comminuted fracture of the right clavicle in a 39-year-old man.

Operative Technique

The operation was performed as described on the Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis manual.2323 Phiphobmongkol V, Sommer C. Cases - Clavicle. In: Bast R, Bavonratanvavech S, Pesantez R. AOTrauma - Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis. 2nd ed. New York: Thieme; 2012:153-178 The surgeries were performed under general anesthesia on a radiolucent operating table and under C-arm fluoroscopy. Two skin incisions of ∼ 2cm to 3 cm were made over the medial and lateral sides of the clavicle fracture (Fig. 2). The supraclavicular nerve was preserved when visible. The superior surface of the clavicle was exposed. A submuscular plane was created between the two incisions using a periosteal elevator or a long locking compression plate. Reduction was aided by manipulating the shoulder and the arm, and temporary reduction was maintained using external fixators (Fig. 3). The plate (precontoured locking compression plate for clavicle bones) was passed in the submuscular plane. Temporary fixation was performed using Kirschner wires through the locking drill sleeves on the medial and lateral sides of the plate. The C-arm was used to visualize the images intraoperatively in neutral, 30° caudal and 30° cranial, for the confirmation of the reduction and placement of the plates. Definitive fixation was performed using 3.5-mm cortical screws on either side of the fracture and locking head screws (LHSs) were used to complete the fixation (Fig. 4). The wounds were closed in layers.

Fig. 2
Two small incisions on the medial and lateral sides of the clavicle fracture.

Fig. 3
Fracture reduction was maintained with external fixation.

Fig. 4
Intraoperative C-arm picture of the same patient.

All patients were encouraged to move the elbow, wrist and fingers since the first postoperative day, and they were advised to use an arm sling to support the upper limb for six weeks, and to perform gentle pendulum exercises with the upper limb inside the arm sling. All sutures were removed on 14th postoperative day, and in the 6th postoperative week, the arm sling was discarded, and active shoulder mobilization was encouraged. During the follow-up, clinical and radiological assessments were performed 6, 12, and 18 weeks, and 6, and 8 months postoperatively. The clinical outcomes were assessed using the Constant-Murley shoulder score (CMSS) and the Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire.2424 Constant CR, Murley AH. A clinical method of functional assessment of the shoulder. Clin Orthop Relat Res 1987;(214):160-164,2525 Hudak PL, Amadio PC, Bombardier CThe Upper Extremity Collaborative Group (UECG) Development of an upper extremity outcome measure: the DASH (disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand) [corrected]. Am J Ind Med 1996;29(06):602-608 Fracture healing was regarded in the presence of bridging callus across the fracture site and length differences regarding the uninjured clavicle were also measured. Clavicular length was measured from the lateral to the medial ends of the clavicle on a digital X-ray (computed radiography) using a prebuilt software on the computer at the Radiology Department. Complications like infection and cellulitis at the operative site, hardware irritation and failure, numbness, tingling and paresthesia around the surgical scar were noted.

Statistical Analysis

The statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS, IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, US) software, version 22 for Windows.. The quantitative data such as age, operative time, length of hospital stay, follow-up time, difference in clavicle length, and radiological union time were expressed as means ± standard deviations, while the qualitative data, such as gender and side involved were expressed as a percentages. The Student t-test was used to analyze the scores on the DASH and CMSS in the 4th and 8th postoperative months, and significance as set as p <0.05.

Results

There were total of 17 cases treated with the MIPO technique. The sample was composed of 11 (64.7%) male and 6 (35.29%) female patients with a mean age of 39.05 ± 10.76 years (range: 22 to 57 years). The cause of the fractures were: road traffic accidents (RTAs) in eight cases, fall from height in five cases, and physical assault in four cases. The mean follow-up time was of 10.41 ± 1.75 months (range: 8 to 14 months). All fractures united on the mean time of 15.35 ± 3.08 weeks (range: 12 to 20 weeks) (Fig. 5). The mean operative time was of 98.11 ± 13.83 minutes (range: 70 to 130 minutes), and the mean length of the hospital stay was of 4.7 ± 1.12 days (range: 3 to 7 days). The mean CMSS was of 74.82 ± 6.36 (range: 66 to 90) in the 4th postoperative month, and of 92.35 ± 5.48 (range: 85 to 100) in the 8th postoperative month, which was statistically significant. The mean score on the DASH was of 9.94 ± 1.55 (range: 8 to 14) in the 4th postoperative month, and of 5.29 ± 1.85 (range: 4 to 9) in the eighth postoperative month, which was also statistically significant. The mean difference in clavicular length was of 2.23 ± 1.39 mm (range: 0 mm to 5 mm), but shortening was observed in 9 cases on the operated side, and lengthening was observed in 5 cases; however, the functional scores were not correlated with these clavicular lengths (Table 1).

Fig. 5
Good union was observed in the sixth postoperative month.

Table 1
Demographics and radiological and functional outcomes

One patient had skin infection at surgical site, which was managed with oral antibiotics and regular dressing. No hemothorax, pneumothorax, or neurovascular injuries were observed, and neither were cases of nonunion. By the third postoperative month, all patients presented full range of motion of the shoulder. None had deep infections, like abscess and irritation of the skin by the implants. No numbness around the incision site was noted. All patients were satisfied with their small incisions.

Discussion

There has been an increasing trend toward the operative treatment in patients with acute, displaced clavicle fractures.2626 Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society. Nonoperative treatment compared with plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2007;89(01):1-10 A meta-analysis2727 McKee RC, Whelan DB, Schemitsch EH, McKee MD. Operative versus nonoperative care of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. J Bone Joint Surg Am 2012;94(08):675-684 of randomized clinical trials showed that patients treated non-operatively had a higher risk of nonunion and symptomatic malunion than those who submitted to the operative treatment. The MIPO technique is currently being widely used in the treatment of long bone shaft fractures, such as those to the humerus, femur, and tibia.2828 Perren SM. The technology of minimally invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO). Injury 2002;33(Suppl 1):VI-VII The MIPO principle aims to preserve biology at the fracture site, so that it maximizes the healing potential of the bone and facilitates early and pain-free recovery.2929 Shin SJ, Sohn HS, Do NH. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis of humeral shaft fractures: a technique to aid fracture reduction and minimize complications. J Orthop Trauma 2012;26(10):585-589 To accomplish this, the fractures are generally reduced indirectly under C-arm fluroscopy. The application of this technique has been reported for clavicle fractures, with good scores on the DASH and CMSS, a lower incidence of numbness below the incision sites, restoration of clavicle length, and manageable complications, such as skin infection and implant irritation.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,1818 Jung GH, Park CM, Kim JD. Biologic fixation through bridge plating for comminuted shaft fracture of the clavicle: technical aspects and prospective clinical experience with a minimum of 12-month follow-up. Clin Orthop Surg 2013;5(04):327-333,1919 Lee HJ, Oh CW, Oh JK, et al. Percutaneous plating for comminuted midshaft fractures of the clavicle: a surgical technique to aid the reduction with nail assistance. Injury 2013;44(04):465-470 In the present study, the major causes of fracturewere RTAs and falls from height respectively, with a male predominance. Kundangar et al.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197 and Zhang et al.2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683 also reported a majority of fractures due to RTAs and a male predominance. The mean operative time in the present study was of 98.11 ± 13.83 minutes. In a 2017 study, Zhang et al.2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683 reported a mean operative time of 48.1 minutes, and, in a 2016 study, Zhang et al.2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12 reported a mean duration of surgery of 60.2 ± 20.1 minutes. Our operative time was longer than those of the aforementioned studies, but it is decreasing as our experience with this technique increases.

The mean age of the patients in the present study was of 39.05 ± 10.76 years. Kundangar et al.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197 reported a mean age of 36.1 years; Zhang et al.2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683 (2017), 32.6 years; and Zhang et al.2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12 (2016), 48.3 years, results comparable to those of the present study. All fractures united on the mean time of 15.35 ± 3.08 weeks, which is similar to the reports by other authors.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,2222 Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH, Song SJ. Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury 2015;46(11):2230-2238 In the present study, the mean CMSS was of 74.82 ± 6.36 in the 4th postoperative month, and of 92.35 ± 5.48 in the 8th postoperative month. The mean score on the DASH was of 9.94 ± 1.55 in the 4th postoperative month, and of 5.29 ± 1.85 in the 8th postoperative month. Other authors also used these instruments to assess the functional recovery of the patients treated with the MIPO technique.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683,2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12,2222 Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH, Song SJ. Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury 2015;46(11):2230-2238 Kundangar et al.1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197 reported a mean CMSS of 92.95 ± 5.83, and a mean score on the DASH of 4.63 ± 3.23. Zhang et al.2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12 found a mean CMSS of 99 ± 1.8, and a mean score on the DASH of 3.8 ± 2.9. These reported functional scores are comparable with our results. We noticed the progression of these scores with statistically significant results on the final follow-up (8th postoperative month), which was due to union of the fracture and physiotherapy.

Other authors reported good union and DASH scores for the clavicle fractures treated with the ORIF technique.22 Hehn FHS, Bonavides PSG, Oliveira Júnior AN, Silva HCG, Back Neto M, Stipp WN. Clinical Evaluation of the Surgical Treatment of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures at a Hospital in the South of Santa Catarina. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2020;55(01):100-105,3030 Ibrahim S, Meleppuram JJ. Retrospective study of superior anterior plate as a treatment for unstable (Neer type 2) distal clavicle fractures. Rev Bras Ortop 2017;53(03):306-313 Kundangar et al.3232 Kundangar R, Singh KA, Mohanty SP, Eshwari K. Clinical outcome of internal fixation of middle third clavicle fractures using locking compression plate: Comparison between open plating and MIPO. J Orthop 2019;16(05):414-418 conducted a comparison study between the ORIF and MIPO techniques, with better scores among the ORIF group, which was not statistically significant, and a lower incidence of numbness below scar among the MIPO group. Beirer et al.3131 Beirer M, Postl L, Crönlein M, et al. Does a minimal invasive approach reduce anterior chest wall numbness and postoperative pain in plate fixation of clavicle fractures? BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2015;16:128 reported that MIPO significantly reduced numbness in the anterior chest wall and a lower level of postoperative pain in comparison to the ORIF, without statistical significance, however.

The mean difference in clavicular length was of 2.2 ± 1.52 mm. Kundangar et al.3232 Kundangar R, Singh KA, Mohanty SP, Eshwari K. Clinical outcome of internal fixation of middle third clavicle fractures using locking compression plate: Comparison between open plating and MIPO. J Orthop 2019;16(05):414-418 reported a shorter difference in clavicular length in the open surgical group than in the MIPO group, which was statistically significant. In the present study, the mean length of the hospital stay was of 4.7 ± 1.12 days. Wang et al.3333 Wang X, Wang Z, Xia S, Fu B. Minimally invasive in the treatment of clavicle middle part fractures with locking reconstruction plate. Int J Surg 2014;12(07):654-658 reported a mean length of the hospital stay of 6.5 days, which is comparable with our results. One patient in the present study had skin infection at the incision site, which was managed with regular dressing and oral antibiotics. We did not observe any cases of deep infection, such as abscess on the operative site and irritation of the skin by the implants. Others studies1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,3131 Beirer M, Postl L, Crönlein M, et al. Does a minimal invasive approach reduce anterior chest wall numbness and postoperative pain in plate fixation of clavicle fractures? BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2015;16:128 have reported a small number of patients with hardware irritation and minor infections. No hemothorax, pneumothorax and neurovascular injuries were observed. But Kim et al.3434 Kim MK, Lee HJ, You AH, Kang HYP. Pneumothorax after minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicle fracture: A case report. Medicine (Baltimore) 2019;98(33):e16836 reported a case of pneumothorax after MIPO on a clavicle fracture. In the present study, no cases of nonunion were noted, and other authors22 Hehn FHS, Bonavides PSG, Oliveira Júnior AN, Silva HCG, Back Neto M, Stipp WN. Clinical Evaluation of the Surgical Treatment of Midshaft Clavicle Fractures at a Hospital in the South of Santa Catarina. Rev Bras Ortop (Sao Paulo) 2020;55(01):100-105,2222 Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH, Song SJ. Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury 2015;46(11):2230-2238,3030 Ibrahim S, Meleppuram JJ. Retrospective study of superior anterior plate as a treatment for unstable (Neer type 2) distal clavicle fractures. Rev Bras Ortop 2017;53(03):306-313,3131 Beirer M, Postl L, Crönlein M, et al. Does a minimal invasive approach reduce anterior chest wall numbness and postoperative pain in plate fixation of clavicle fractures? BMC Musculoskelet Disord 2015;16:128,3232 Kundangar R, Singh KA, Mohanty SP, Eshwari K. Clinical outcome of internal fixation of middle third clavicle fractures using locking compression plate: Comparison between open plating and MIPO. J Orthop 2019;16(05):414-418,3333 Wang X, Wang Z, Xia S, Fu B. Minimally invasive in the treatment of clavicle middle part fractures with locking reconstruction plate. Int J Surg 2014;12(07):654-658 using the MIPO and ORIF techniques also reported no cases of non-union. By the third postoperative month, all patients presented full range of motion of the shoulder, and no numbness around the incision site was noted. Most of the other authors1515 Kundangar RS, Mohanty SP, Bhat NS. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) in AO/OTA type B displaced clavicle fractures. Musculoskelet Surg 2019;103(02):191-197,2020 Zhang T, Chen W, Sun J, Zhang Q, Zhang Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis technique for displaced midshaft clavicular fracture using the clavicle reductor. Int Orthop 2017;41(08): 1679-1683,2121 Zhang Y, Xu J, Zhang C, Sun Y. Minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for midshaft clavicular fractures using superior anatomic plating. J Shoulder Elbow Surg 2016;25(01):e7-e12,2222 Sohn HS, Shon MS, Lee KH, Song SJ. Clinical comparison of two different plating methods in minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis for clavicular midshaft fractures: A randomized controlled trial. Injury 2015;46(11):2230-2238 reported similar results.

Limitations

The shortcomings of our study were the relatively small sample size and short follow-up. The present study was non-comparative, and didn't evaluate the clinical outcomes with the healthy uninjured side.

Conclusion

The present study demonstrated that the MIPO technique can be applied to clavicular midshaft fractures with satisfactory clinical and radiological outcomes in terms of union, and recovery of clavicular length and shoulder motion. Therefore, we state that the MIPO technique can be an alternative to the conventional ORIF method.

Acknowledgments

Dr. Toya Raj Bhatta, Dr. Amrit Shrestha, and Dr. Prabhav Pokhrel, for the support during the study.

  • Financial Support
    There was no financial support from public, commercial, or non-profit sources.
  • *
    Study conducted at the Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Patan Academy of Health Sciences, Patan Hospital, Lalitpur, Nepal.

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Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    06 July 2022
  • Date of issue
    2022

History

  • Received
    20 June 2020
  • Accepted
    01 Dec 2020
  • Published
    01 Oct 2021
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