BACKGROUND:Fractures of clavicle constitute one of the commonest fractures in orthopaedic practice and till recently most of these fractures were treated conservatively. The advent of various implants for the fixation of these fractures along with safe surgical practices made the surgery more widely accepted and the definite indications for open reduction and internal fixation were formulated. MATERIAL & METHODS: In this prospective study, conducted in the department of orthopedics and Traumatology of Osmania General Hospital, Hyderabad, 4o patients who were operated for fracture clavicle were included. The study period was from September 2012 to September 2014. CONCLUSIONS: Operative treatment of fracture clavicle offers a definitive method of treatment in some specific instances. It reduces the time of union, stiffness of the adjoining joints and morbidity. KEYWORDS: Fracture clavicle, Operative fixation of clavicle, Plate synthesis for clavicle. INTRODUCTION:Clavicle is the bony link from thorax to shoulder girdle and contributes to movements at shoulder girdle. Clavicle fracture is a common traumatic injury around shoulder girdle due to their subcutaneous position. It is caused by either low-energy or high-energy impact. Fracture of the clavicle accounts for approximately 2.6% to 5% of all fractures and up to 35% of injuries to the shoulder girdle. About 70% to 80% of these fractures are in the middle third of the bone and less often in the lateral third (12% to 15%) and medial third (5% to 8%). 1,2 Fractures of the clavicle have been traditionally treated non-operatively. Although many methods of closed reduction have been described, it is recognized that reduction is practically impossible to maintain and a certain amount of deformity and disability is expected in adults. More recent data based on detailed classification of fractures, suggest that the incidence of nonunion in displaced comminuted clavicular fractures in adults is between 10 and 15%. All fractures with initial shortening of >2cm resulted in nonunion. 3,4 Several studies have examined the safety and efficacy of primary open reduction and internal fixation for completely displaced fractures clavicle and noted high union rate with a low complication rate. There are various methods for treating clavicle mid shaft fractures such as pre contoured clavicular locking plates, reconstruction plates, dynamic compression plates, intramedullary nails etc. 5 For lateral third clavicular fracture operative treatments include transacromial Kirschner wire, cancellous compression screw and coracocalvicular screw. AO/ASIF group has recommended the use of tension band wire construct for fixation of displaced lateral third clavicle fracture.The purpose of this study is to gain experience with the surgical management of fresh displaced, comminuted middle third clavicle fractures with plate and screws and Kirschner wires with tension band construct for displaced lateral third clavicle fractures.

No abstract