Operative treatment of complex fractures of midshaft clavicle using a locking plate: a comparison be-tween mini-invasive plate osteosynthesis ( MIPO ) and conventional open reduction / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To compare the clinical outcomes of mini-invasive plate osteosynthesis ( MIPO ) and conventional open plating for complex fractures of midshaft clavicle. Methods The authors retrospec-tively reviewed the data of complex fractures of midshaft clavicle ( AO/OTA types 15-B2 and 15-B3 ) which had been treated with MIPO or conventional open plating between January 2010 to February 2016. Forty-one patients were treated with MIPO and 43 with conventional open plating. The 2 groups were compared in terms of incision length, hospital stay, bone union time, postoperative Constant score and Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand ( DASH ) score, patients'satisfaction and complications. Results The average follow-up was 21. 2 ± 9. 2 months for MIPO group and 23. 1 ± 11. 8 months for conventional open plating group. The incision length ( 4. 3 ± 0. 5 cm ) , hospital stay ( 7. 7 ± 1. 9 d ) and union time ( 10. 6 ± 3. 2 w ) in the MIPO group were signifi-cantly shorter than those in the conventional open plating group ( 8. 4 ± 1. 3 cm, 9. 6 ± 3. 1 d and 12. 3 ± 3. 9 w, respectively ) ( P <0. 05 ) . The MIPO group had significantly lower incidences of hypertrophic scarring and dysesthesia in the area of incision but significantly higher patients'satisfaction than the conventional open plating group ( P <0. 05 ) . There were no significant differences in the Constant score or DASH score at 3 months, 6 months and the final follow-up ( P > 0. 05 ) . Conclusion In the treatment of complex fractures of midshaft clavicle, although both MIPO and conventional open plating can lead to similar functional outcomes, MIPO may be advantageous over conventional open plating in smaller surgical incision, more rapid fracture union, shorter hospital stay and higher patients'satisfaction.