Anatomical Analysis of Clavicles in Korean Adults and Compatibility of Pre-Contoured Anatomical Plates / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: Due to the complex anatomy of clavicles, clavicular plates are not always compatible with clavicular fractures. The purpose of this study was to analyze basic data on the anatomy of the clavicle in order to determine compatibility between clavicles of Korean adults and pre-contoured anatomical plates. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We analyzed the anatomy of 600 clavicles of 300 patients who underwent three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography of clavicles in the emergency room of Konkuk University Chungju Hospital, between July 2010 and July 2011, using Andermahr's method; in addition, the compatibility between 3D axial images of clavicles and sectional images of pre-contoured anatomical plates was also examined using Adobe Photoshop. RESULTS: The mean length of the clavicle was 146.21+/-4.98 mm, the mean width was 9.63+/-1.67 mm, and the mean thickness was 9.54+/-1.67 mm. The location of the maximum superior bow was 36.17+/-0.60 mm from the lateral end of the clavicle and the mean magnitude was 5.88+/-0.62 mm. The mean depth of medial curvature was 15.89+/-1.33 mm, and the mean depth of the lateral curvature of the clavicle was 11.73+/-1.66 mm. The compatibility between clavicles and plates was 79% as above a fair compatibility in the 50% range of clavicles and 48% as above a fair compatibility in the 60% to 70% range of clavicles. On the contrary, in application of medial and lateral plates in the 60% to 70% range of clavicles, above a fair compatibility had increased to 67%. CONCLUSION: A more adequate pre-contoured anatomical plate is required for satisfactory improvement of the compatibility of clavicles of Korean adults.

A Retrospective Comparative Study of Internal Fixation with Contoured Plate Using Bicortical Screw Versus a Double Plate in Comminuted Olecranon Fractures / 대한정형외과학회잡지

PURPOSE: To analyze the clinical result of a contoured plate fixation using a bicortical screw and a double plate fixation in the surgical treatment of an adult's comminuted olecranon fracture. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 22 patients were classified by Mayo classification as Type IIB (17) and Type IIIB (5). All patients enrolled in the study were treated between July 2002 and September 2009. Twelve patients were operated on using the contoured plate internal fixation using a bicortical screw procedure classified as group 'A'. The 10 patients operated on by a double plate fixation were classified as group 'B'. The Mayo elbow performance score was used to compare postoperative clinical results based on total points in 4 categories: pain, range of motion, articular stability, and articular function. RESULTS: The clinical results of using the Mayo elbow performance score of group 'A' were that 10 scored in the 'excellent' range and 2 scored in the 'good' range the following: in group 'B' were in the excellent range and 3 were in the good range. Both groups showed satisfactory results. Postoperative elbow exercises in group 'A' commenced 7.8 (5-14) days on average, postoperatively. For 'B' group, post-operative elbow exercises began 4.5 (3-7) days following the operation. With regard to the exercise and the range of elbow motion, group 'A' averaged 113.5 degrees and group 'B' averaged 112 degrees. After surgery, the average durations until the bone union were 3.8 (2.4-5.6) months for group 'A' and 4 (2.5-5) months for group 'B', respectively. CONCLUSION: There was no significant difference in the clinical results between patients treated with the contoured plate internal fixation using a bicortical screw or the internal fixation using a double plate in the surgical treatment of adults with comminuted olecranon fracture or dislocation. Therefore, both types of operative approach are acceptable.