Treatment of an open infected type IIB distal clavicle fracture: case report and review of the literature.
Clavicle fractures are common skeletal injuries that are typically managed nonoperatively, which results in a high rate of fracture union with few or no long-term sequelae. Type II distal clavicle fractures are an exception, with reported rates of nonunion ranging from 22% to 44%. This high rate of nonunion has led to controversy regarding the appropriate treatment of type II injuries. The following case report describes a type IIB distal clavicle fracture, in which nonoperative management was complicated by the breakdown of skin over the fracture site and the subsequent development of infection. This is a rare complication of conservative management. Thorough operative debridement, fracture stabilization via external fixation, and identification of the causative organism allowed for successful outcome in the management of this complex presentation.
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, NYU Hospital for Joint Diseases, 301 East 17th Street, New York, NY 10003, USA.
Eric J
EJ
Strauss
Kevin M
KM
Kaplan
Nader
N
Paksima
Joseph A
JA
Bosco
D000058:Accidental Falls; D000328:Adult; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D005597:Fractures, Open / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000382:microbiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010019:Osteomyelitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D011859:Radiography; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents