Locking plate external fixation and negative pressure wound therapy for treatment of a primary infection in a closed clavicle fracture

Abstract

Infection in a clavicle fracture is uncommon, but remains a challenging problem. A paucity of soft tissue coverage often combined with significant displacement and interfragmentary movement add complexity to an already difficult situation for effective infection treatment. External fixation in principle offers a means of achieving fracture stability, while the infection is being eradicated. We present the case of a closed clavicle fracture, initially treated conservatively, that presented 5 weeks later with infection. The fracture was definitively treated with external fixation using a locking plate positioned superficially to the skin, plus negative pressure wound therapy and subsequent secondary closure and antibiotic therapy. This case illustrates a novel method of treatment in this unusual presentation that was well tolerated by the patient and resulted in a good clinical outcome.

Treating tibial fracture with supra-cutaneous locking plate osteosynthesis: personalized therapy for special patient;A case series study

“…For some particular patients, xation of an open fracture or a fracture with soft tissue issues using a supra-cutaneous locking compression plate was suggested, and positive therapeutic outcomes were obtained [4][5]. The idea of supra-cutaneous plate oseteosynthesis is not new;it has been utilized for more than ten years [6].…”