title: Locking plate osteosynthesis of clavicle fractures: complication and reoperation rates in one hundred and five consecutive cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Locking plate osteosynthesis has become the preferred method for operative treatment of clavicle fractures. The method offers stable fixation, and would theoretically be associated with a low rate of fracture-related complications and reoperations. However, this remains to be explored in a large cohort, and our purpose was to assess the overall rates of complications and reoperations following locking plate osteosynthesis of mid-shaft clavicle fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  We identified all locking plate osteosynthesis of mid-shaft clavicle fractures operated upon in our department from January 2008 to November 2010 (n = 114). Nine patients did not attend the follow-up at our institution. The study group of 105 fractures (104 patients, 86 males) had a median age of 36 years (14-75 years). Follow-up ranged from 0.5 to 3.5 years. No patients were allowed to load the upper extremity for six weeks. By studying patient files and radiographic material, we assessed complications and reoperations.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, there were 31 cases (30 %) of plate removals for discomfort. There were five cases (5 %) of failure of osteosynthesis: two occurred early after approximately six weeks and three late after ten to 13 months postoperatively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The overall rate of failure of osteosynthesis is low (5 %). The burden of plate removals in approximately one third of patients should be included in the preoperative information.
authors: Clinical Orthopaedic Research, Department of Orthopaedics, Hvidovre University Hospital, Copenhagen, Denmark. mfridberg@hotmail.com
authors: Marie
authors: M
authors: Fridberg
authors: Ilija
authors: I
authors: Ban
authors: Zaid
authors: Z
authors: Issa
authors: Michael
authors: M
authors: Krasheninnikoff
authors: Anders
authors: A
authors: Troelsen
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D020878:Device Removal; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005594:Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D017102:Fracture Healing; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012086:Reoperation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
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