title: K-wire and tension band wire fixation in treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the feasibility and therapeutic effect of treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation by K-wire and tension band wire fixation, and to improve the safety and stability of this technique.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study consisted of 9 cases, 6 males and 3 females with the mean age of 25 years (range, 9-62 years). The causes were traffic accident in 7 cases, falling in 1 case and fight in 1 case. The duration from injury to operation was 2 hours to 7 days. There were 5 left dislocations and 4 right dislocations; 8 anterior dislocations and 1 posterior dislocation, including one combined with left scapular fracture and one with left olecranon fracture. Open reduction and internal fixation using K-wires and tension band wires were performed to treat dislocations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All patients were followed up for 6 to 24 months, 10 months on average. According to Rockwood's rating scale on postoperative sternoclavicular joint, 8 cases achieved excellent outcomes with an average score of 13.88, and the rest case achieved a good outcome with the score of 12. Anatomical reduction was obtained in all cases. There were no such postoperative complications as severe infection, injury to blood vessel and nerve, failure of fixation, etc. Patients were all satisfied with the anatomical reduction and functional recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The technique of K-wire and tension band wire fixation is safe, simple, effective, less invasive and has been successfully used in orthopedic surgery. It is effective in treating sternoclavicular joint dislocation though it has some disadvantages.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics, Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical College, Wenzhou, China.
authors.forename: Qing-yu
authors.initials: QY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Shao-wen
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Zhong-qin
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Dong-quan
authors.initials: DQ
authors.lastname: Kou
authors.forename: Yue
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Xiao-zhou
authors.initials: XZ
authors.lastname: Ying
authors.forename: Xiao-jie
authors.initials: XJ
authors.lastname: Cheng
authors.forename: Chuan-zhu
authors.initials: CZ
authors.lastname: Lv
authors.forename: Lei
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Peng
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001864:Bone Wires; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D013247:Sternoclavicular Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery