Abstract
Surgical Principles
A non-union of the clavicle can develop following a fracture, which is conservatively treated with insufficient reduction or inadequate immobilisation, as well as after an open reduction and internal fixation in cases with severe soft tissue injury or with poor osseous stabilization.
Dynamic compression plating of a non-union of the clavicle provides the mechanical stability required for bone healing; in cases of atrophic non-union or pseudarthrosis with loss of bone, the procedure is supplemented with an autogenous cancellous bone graft, whereas those with associated shortening are treated with the interposition of a cortico-cancellous block.
The (rare) post-traumatic thoracic outlet syndrome can frequently be treated successfully through a stable internal fixation of the pseudarthrosis.
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References
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Hackenbruch, W., St. von Gumppenberg: Die operative Therapie der Clavicula-Pseudarthrose. Unfallheilkunde 85 (1982), 478.
Hagemann, H., P. J. Meeder: Die Schlüsselbeinpseudarthrose—eine vermeidbare Komplikation? Unfallchirurgie 8 (1982), 88.
Rabenseifner, L.: Zur Ätiologie und Therapie bei Schlüsselbeinpseudarthrosen. Akt. Traumat. 11 (1981), 130.
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First published in: Operat. Orthop. Traumatol. 1 (1989), 139–144 (German Edition).
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Hansis, M., Weller, S. & Siebert, C.H. Surgical treatment of non-unions of the clavicle. Orthop. Traumatol. 1, 2–7 (1992). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02620421
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02620421