EVALUATION THE SIGN OF UNION, DURATION OF SURGERY AND POST-OPERATIVE SKIN COMPLICATION IN MID SHAFT CLAVICLE FRACTURE.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: It is impossible to support and immobilize a fracture of middle 3rd of clavicle in an adult by external means with figure-of-eight bandages. Clavicle fractures accounts for approximately 2.6% of all fractures in adults2 10% to 15% in children and comprise about 30 -40% of all shoulder girdle injuries and 5% fractures occurs in medial end. The goal of clavicle fracture treatment is to achieve bony union while minimizing dysfunction, morbidity, and cosmetic deformity. Definitive indications for acute surgical intervention include skin tenting, open fractures, the presence of neurovascular compromise, multiple trauma, or floating shoulder. Outside of these indications, the management of displaced fractures of the mid shaft (Edinburgh type 2B) remains somewhat controversial. Recent literature is challenging the traditional belief that mid- shaft clavicle fractures uniformly heal without functional deficit. 
 MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients included were cases of mid shaft clavicle fractures. 30 patients with mid shaft clavicle fractures were included in the study.All patients above 18 years of age were included in the study falling into Robinson’s type 2 B1 (Mid shaft simple displaced and single butterfly fragment fracture), type 2 B2 (Mid shaft segmental fracture) classification. The patients were selected randomly and were divided in the following two groups of 15 patients each: Group A: 15 patients treated by anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) by open technique. Group B: 15 patients treated by minimal invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. All patients were operated as early as possible once the patient was declared fit for the surgery by the physician. Open reduction and internal fixation with LCP was done.
 RESULTS: A total of 30 patients were included in the study. In group A 15 patients treated by anatomical locking compression plate (LCP) by open technique and in group B 15 patients treated by minimal invasive percutaneous osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique. In Group A, 7 (46.7%) patients had operative time of 80-100 minutes whereas 6 (40%) and 2 (13.3%) patients had operative time of 100-120 and 120-140 minutes respectively. The mean operative time was 104.9 ± 13.52mins. In Group B, 6 (40%) patients had operative time of 80-100 minutes whereas 8 (53.4%) and 1 (6.6%) patients had operative time of 100-120 and 120-140 minutes respectively. The mean operative time was 106.5 ± 11.72mins. The mean duration for radiological union in Group A was 12.7 ± 4.61 weeks. Majority of the patients (60%) achieved radiological union in <12 weeks while 6 (40%) patients achieved union in 12-24 weeks. In Group B, majority of the patients (66.7%) achieved radiological union in <12 weeks while 5 (33.3%) patients achieved union in 12-24 weeks. The mean duration for radiological union in Group B was 12.1 ± 6.68 weeks.
 CONCLUSION: MIPOs can used to preserve the biology at the fracture site, to maximise the healing potential of the bone, and to facilitate early and pain free recovery and MIPPO technique with the application of LCP offered an ideal combination in terms of bone fixation and soft-tissue sparing.