title: Operative versus non-operative treatment for clavicle fracture: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of operative and non-operative treatment on clavicle fractures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Relevant clinical trials on the operative and non-operative treatment for clavicle fractures were retrieved through searching the databases MEDLINE, Embase, OVID and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to December 2011. The quality of the included studies was assessed by two authors. A meta-analysis was carried out on homogeneous studies. Five studies involving 633 clavicle fractures were included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The differences in nonunion [risk ratio (RR) 0.12, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.05-0.29], malunion (RR 0.11, 95 % CI 0.04-0.29) and neurological complications (RR 0.45, 95 % CI 0.25-0.81) were statistically significant between operative and non-operative treatment. There was no statistically significant difference in delayed union (RR 0.78, 95 % CI 0.31-1.95).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Operative treatment is better than non-operative treatment, but decisions should be made in accordance with specific conditions for clinical application.
authors: Department 8, Research Institute of Surgery, Daping Hospital, Third Military Medical University, Chongqing, 400042, People's Republic of China.
authors: Guo-dong
authors: GD
authors: Liu
authors: Song-lin
authors: SL
authors: Tong
authors: Shan
authors: S
authors: Ou
authors: Le-shun
authors: LS
authors: Zhou
authors: Jun
authors: J
authors: Fei
authors: Guo-xin
authors: GX
authors: Nan
authors: Jian-wen
authors: JW
authors: Gu
mesh_terms: D002968:Clavicle / Q000293:injuries*; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000601:surgery* / Q000628:therapy; D017759:Fractures, Malunited / Q000453:epidemiology; D005599:Fractures, Ununited / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D009984:Orthopedic Fixation Devices; D019637:Orthopedic Procedures; D016896:Treatment Outcome
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