[Comparison of plate and Kirschner wire fixation in treatment of clavicular nonunion].
OBJECTIVE
To compare the results of plate and Kirschner wire fixation in treatment of nonunion of clavicular fracture.


METHODS
From September 1991 to January 2002, 19 patients (9 with plate and 10 with Kirschner wire) were treated. The results were evaluated by reduction, bone union time, recovery of joint function, pain, and correction of deformation.


RESULTS
The follow-up time was 6-23 months with an average of 11 months. Bone union occurred after a mean time of 11 weeks. In plate group, 7 patients gained excellent results, 1 good and 1 fair. In Kirschner wire group, 3 patients gained excellent results, 3 good, 3 fair and 1 poor. The result of plate is significantly better than that of Kirschner wire fixation(P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Plate fixation is a good simple method for treatment of nonunion of clavicular fracture.
Si
Qing-qing
QQ
Department of Orthopedics, Changzheng Hospital, Second Military Medical University, Shanghai, P. R. China 200003.
Chen
Ai-min
AM
Hou
Chun-lin
CL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D001864:Bone Wires; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D020127:Recovery of Function; D016896:Treatment Outcome