• Chin-En Chen, Rei-Jahn Juhn, and Jih-Yang Ko.
• Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Golden Hospital, Pingtung, 900, Taiwan, ROC. chinenmd@ms21.hinet.net
• Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2010 Apr 1; 130 (4): 507-11.

IntroductionVarious techniques have been reported for the treatment of middle-third clavicle (collar bone) fractures. This prospective study was conducted to evaluate the results of anterior-inferior plating using a 3.5-mm reconstruction plate for the treatment of middle-third clavicle fractures.Patients And MethodsTwenty-six patients with middle-third clavicle fractures were treated with anterior-inferior plating. The indications for surgery included complete displacement, severe comminution, and marked shortening of the clavicle (>2 cm).ResultsThe mean time to union was 14 weeks (range 8-20 weeks). At the time of latest follow-up, all of the patients had returned to their pre-injury activity level. The plates were removed in ten patients after the fractures healed. No patients required plate removal due to implant-related problems.ConclusionAnterior-inferior plating is an effective treatment modality for middle-third clavicle fractures, with few complications and early return of shoulder function. The procedure provides stable fixation, avoids risk to vital structures below the clavicle, and is associated with a low rate of implant-prominence problems.

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