Clinical Outcomes of Double Mini-Plating Compared with a Single Superior Plating in Midshaft Clavicular Fractures: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study

Abstract

Background: In the current study, we aimed to assess the clinical outcomes of the double-plating method using 2.7 mm compression plates compared with the single superior 3.5 mm compression plating method in displaced midshaft fractures of the clavicle. Materials and Methods: Thirty patients with midshaft fractures of the clavicle were randomly assigned into two groups. In group A, 15 patients were fixed by a double-plating technique using two 2.7 mm compression plates on the superior and anteroinferior sides of the bone. The fractures in group B were fixed by a superior plating technique using a single 3.5 mm compression plate. Intraoperative bleeding measurement, length of surgical incision, duration of procedure time, and functional scores were assessed post-surgically through one-year follow-ups. Results: There was no significant difference between groups in terms of surgery time. Device failure was not found among all recruited patients. Incision length and device prominence complaint were significantly different between groups (P value = 0.02, P value = 0.03). Mean ± standard deviation intraoperative bleeding rate was 88.67 ± 29.96 milliliter in the double-plating group and 108.67 ± 41.72 milliliter in the other group, which was not different between these two groups (P value = 0.14). There were no signs of non-union either in radiographies or clinically. Conclusion: Double mini-plating of diaphyseal clavicular fractures could result in a smaller surgical incision and a lower rate of prominence without affecting fixation stability and clinical outcomes in comparison with single superior 3.5 mm plates.