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Do multiple fractures affect risk of fixation failure after surgical treatment of midshaft clavicle fracture? A retrospective cohort study

  • Orthopaedic Surgery
  • Published:
Archives of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgery Aims and scope Submit manuscript

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Abstract

Background

Surgical treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures is associated with quick recovery and low risk of non-union. However, fixation failure may occur in case of severe comminution fractures. Moreover, clinical outcomes may be affected when clavicle fractures occur in combination with other injuries, particularly those involving the lower extremities, as the use of crutches or walkers may hinder the process of rehabilitation by adding strain on the acromioclavicular (AC) joint, resulting in possible fixation failure. This study aims to identify risk factors for fixation failure of midshaft clavicle fractures and elucidate the role of combined fractures in treatment outcomes.

Methods

This study included patients diagnosed with midshaft clavicle fractures who underwent initial surgery between January 2012 and November 2021 at a designated regional trauma center hospital. Retrospective evaluation of fixation failure was carried out in 352 patients with midshaft clavicle fractures using standard clinical evaluation protocols and conventional radiographs. The prevalence of fixation failure and the effects of several demographic variables on the risk of fixation failure and non-union were examined. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was carried out to identify independent risk factors for fixation failure.

Results

Fixation failure occurred in 40 patients (11.4%). Multivariate analysis identified comminution [odds ratio (OR) 3.532, p value = 0.003, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.55–8.05)] and fewer number of screws (OR 0.223, p value = 0.022, 95% CI 0.06–0.80) as risk factors for fixation failure. Surgical techniques using wire cerclage reduced the chances of fixation failure in comminuted fractures (OR 0.63, p value = 0.033, 95% CI 0.05–0.80). Combined fractures that required rehabilitation using walkers or crutches increased the risk of non-union (OR 19.043, p value = 0.032, 95% CI 1.28–282.46).

Conclusions

Additional fixation of comminuted fractures using cerclage can reduce the risk of treatment failure, while multiple fractures or rehabilitation for ambulation increases the risk of the same.

Level of evidence

III.

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Change history

  • 28 September 2023

    Missing article note “Hyojune Kim and Taeho Oh are co-first authors” has been updated

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Daejeon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University School of Medicine, 1306 Dunsan-dong, Seo-gu, Daejeon, 35233, Republic of Korea

    Hyojune Kim, Taeho Oh & Sang Ki Lee

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  1. Hyojune Kim
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  2. Taeho Oh
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  3. Sang Ki Lee
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Correspondence to Sang Ki Lee.

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The Author(s) declare(s) that there is no conflict of interest.

Ethical approval

Ethical approval was waived by the local Ethics Committee of University (EMC-202110011) in view of the retrospective nature of the study and all the procedures being performed were part of the routine care.

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Informed consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study, and the participant has consented to the submission of the case report to the journal.

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Hyojune Kim and Taeho Oh are co-first authors.

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Kim, H., Oh, T. & Lee, S.K. Do multiple fractures affect risk of fixation failure after surgical treatment of midshaft clavicle fracture? A retrospective cohort study. Arch Orthop Trauma Surg 144, 121–130 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-023-05039-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00402-023-05039-x

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