Management of paediatric clavicle fractures--is follow-up necessary? An audit of 346 cases.
We investigated the incidence of complications following childhood clavicle fractures and the necessity for follow-up in fracture clinic after the first orthopaedic consultation. We found that review in fracture clinic has no impact upon the outcome of clavicle fractures and complications such as non-union, mal-union or neurovascular problems are exceptionally rare. We concluded that there is no need for follow-up of children with isolated, uncomplicated clavicle fractures. These patients should be discharged after their first assessment in fracture clinic.
Calder
J D F
JD
Department of Orthopaedics, Princess Royal Hospital, Haywards Heath, Sussex, UK. j.calder@ic.ac.uk
Solan
M
M
Gidwani
S
S
Allen
S
S
Ricketts
D M
DM
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008485:Medical Audit; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012189:Retrospective Studies