The Usefulness of Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis to Manage Comminuted Mid-Clavicle Fracture: A Comparison with Conventional Open Plating / 대한정형외과학회잡지

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical and radiological outcomes of minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) with those of conventional open plating (COP) for treating comminuted mid-clavicular fractures and to evaluate the usefulness of MIPO. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-nine patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid-clavicular comminuted fractures were analyzed retrospectively. Nineteen patients were treated with MIPO and twenty patients with COP. Radiological evaluation included time to union, fracture healing, and clavicular length difference measured as the proportional length difference with the unaffected side. Clinical assessment was performed using the simple shoulder test score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score, and quick disability of the arm, shoulder and hand score. Moreover, the mean operation and radiation times, as well as exposure were compared. RESULTS: All clavicles achieved bone union. The mean time to union was 12.1 weeks in the MIPO group, and 14.6 weeks in the COP group (p=0.587). There was no significant difference between the two groups regarding the functional and radiological outcomes at 2-year follow-up. A significantly shorter operation time was observed in the MIPO group than in the COP group (75.8 min vs. 106.9 min, p=0.002). More radiation time and exposure were identified in the MIPO group (52.8 s vs. 37.1 s, p=0.002; 209.4 mGy vs. 43.1 mGy, p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Both COP and MIPO were shown to be effective treatment options for mid-clavicular comminuted fractures. MIPO may be a better alternative to COP due to shorter operation time and no need for a bone graft, although the functional and radiological outcomes were not significantly different. However, all surgeons should pay close attention to minimize radiation hazard.