title: Treatment of comminuted mid-diaphyseal clavicle fractures by plate fixation using a bridging technique.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine the healing and functional results of the treatment of comminuted mid-diaphyseal clavicular fractures using a bridging plate technique with minimal surgical dissection.
  
  
  METHODS
  This retrospective study included 23 patients (17 males and 6 females) with comminuted mid-diaphyseal clavicular fractures treated between 2004 and 2010. All fractures were operated on using a bridging plate technique with minimal surgical dissection. Patients were evaluated for function using the Constant shoulder scoring system.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean follow-up was 22 (range: 6 to 68) months and healing occurred in all patients after a mean of 13 (range: 8 to 20) weeks. No implant failures or superficial or deep infections were observed. Iatrogenic neurovascular damage was not observed in any patient. Two patients had clavicle length discrepancy in comparison with the healthy side. Range of motion was normal in all patients. The mean Constant score was 89.6 (range: 72 to 100) points.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The surgical treatment of mid-diaphyseal fractures with the bridging plate technique using locking plates provides good patient comfort, allows early mobility and has a low complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey. dr_samis@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Sami
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sökücü
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taksim German Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Özgür
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Menges
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Engin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Cetinkaya
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Taksim Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Atilla
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Parmaksızoğlu
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, Metin Sabancı Baltalimanı Bone Diseases Training and Research Hospital, İstanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Yavuz
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kabukçuoğlu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001860:Bone Plates; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery*; D018483:Diaphyses / Q000293:injuries; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005593:Fracture Fixation, Internal / Q000379:methods*; D018460:Fractures, Comminuted / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D011859:Radiography; D016059:Range of Motion, Articular; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014945:Wound Healing; D055815:Young Adult