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Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
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American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
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American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
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Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
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Label_Title

Dear Label_Name,

Greetings! I hope you are well.

I am writing on behalf of an international publishing house, Science and Education Publishing, USA (http://www.sciepub.com).

Science and Education Publishing (SciEP) is a multidisciplinary open access publisher of Journals covering the fields of Science, Technology and Medicine. All SciEP publications are subject to high-quality peer review, editorial and production processes and are freely available online.

Welcome to the April, 2013 edition of SciEP newsletter, providing monthly summaries of articles on science & education related topics of interest to scientist and professionals. The mission of our journals is to provide an open access forum for publishing new findings on issues pertinent to scientific and academic field. We also invite you to submit original research papers, review articles, short reports, or case studies are considered for publication in our Multidisciplinary Journals.

American Journal of Public Health Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajphr-1-1-3

The Implementation of a Tele-Homecare System with Service Oriented Architecture and HL7 Message Transmission Standard
Ching-Sung Wang

American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
DOI: 10.12691/ajmbr-1-1-2

The Influence of Ethanol on Pyruvate Kinases Activity in Vivo, in Vitro, in Silico
Lelevich Sergey Vladimirovich, Khrustalev Vladislav Victorovich, Barkovsky Eugene Victorovich, Shedogubova Tatyana Aleksandrovna

American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
DOI: 10.12691/ajmsm-1-1-1

Clinical and Histological Features in Wegener Granulomatosis
Li Cavoli Gioacchino, Passantino Rita, Bono Luisa, Tortorici Calogera, Ferrantelli Angelo, Giammarresi Carlo, Rotolo Ugo

American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
DOI: 10.12691/ajidm-1-1-2

The Curse of Lymphatic Filariasis: Would the Continual Use of Diethylcarbamazine Eliminate this Scourge in Papua New Guinea?
Anne Lanham, Lillian Mwanri

We have released issues of some journals on February 2013.
American Journal of Public Health Research
American Journal of Medical Sciences and Medicine
American Journal of Medical and Biological Research
American Journal of Pharmacological Sciences
American Journal of Clinical Medicine Research
American Journal of Nursing Research
American Journal of Cancer Prevention
American Journal of Medicine Studies
American Journal of Infectious Diseases and Microbiology
American Journal of Cardiovascular Disease Research
American Journal of Biomedical Research
American Journal of Mechanical Engineering
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Journal of Preventive Medicine
American Journal of Food and Nutrition
American Journal of Hypertension Research
American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine
Journal of Cancer Research and Treatment
American Journal of Zoological Research
Journal of Biomedical Engineering and Technology
American Journal of Microbiological Research
Biomedical Science and Engineering

We are pleased to announce that submissions are now being accepted for peer review for all the journals across all our subject areas in SciEP.

Please submit your manuscript via our online submission system:
http://www.sciepub.com/author/signin

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Treatment of Acute Clavicle Fractures with an Anatomical Congruent Clavicle Plate

Daniel Gheorghiu*, Christos Sinopidis, Daniel J. Brown

Trauma and Orthopaedics, Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen University Hospital, Liverpool, UK

Abstract: Morbidity following un-united and mal-united adult clavicle fractures is being increasingly recognised and the indications for operative treatment of displaced fractures of the clavicle are increasing. Plate fixation options include low contact dynamic compression plates, which are strong, but difficult to contour and cause soft tissue irritation. Reconstruction plates are easier to contour, but lack sufficient mechanical strength. Pre-contoured locking plates are now available, matching the shape of the adult clavicle. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcome of a pre-contoured congruent clavicle plate in the treatment of acute, displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fractures. This study presents the results of 29 patients treated with an anatomical congruent clavicle plate for acute displaced, mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle at a tertiary referral centre. All patients were treated with a congruent clavicle plate. The fracture united in all cases with minimal complications and high patient satisfaction on the Disability of the Arm and Shoulder (DASH) score, American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons score (ASES) and Pain Visual analogue score (VAS). The results compare favourably with other published studies, and we believe that a congruent clavicle plate represents an advance in the operative management of these fractures.

Keywords: clavicle fracture, plate fixation, union

Received April 03, 2013; Revised May 01, 2013; Accepted May 08, 2013

Citation: Daniel Gheorghiu, Christos Sinopidis, Daniel J. Brown, Treatment of Acute Clavicle Fractures with an Anatomical Congruent Clavicle Plate. Global Journal of Surgery, 1 (2). 8-10. January 2013. doi:10.12691/js-1-2-1

1. Introduction

Fractures of the clavicle are common, accounting for 5 to 10% of all fractures and up to 44% of all injuries to the shoulder girdle [1,2]. About 80% of these fractures occur in the middle third of the clavicle [1,3,4]. Traditionally these fractures have been treated conservatively with Neer in 1960 suggesting that only 0.1% of fractures, treated non-operatively, will fail to unite [1]. More recently, however, it has been suggested mid shaft fractures with 20 mm initial shortening have a 15% non-union rate [5]. Symptomatic mal-union of clavicle fractures can also occur in 31% to 50% of cases [5,6]. Reasons for dissatisfaction include weakness, pain, displacement, or a bump [6]. Other indications for clavicle fixation include open fractures, skin compromise, neurovascular damage, floating shoulder and symptomatic non unions [7,8,9].

Controversy exists on the types of fixation to be used of middle third clavicle fractures [1,10]. The treatment options include intramedullary fixation [11,12] and internal fixation with plates [9,13,14,15]. Fixation with wires carries the risk of wire migration which may cause damage to vital structures [16,17]. There is also controversy about which type of plate to use: Low Contact Dynamic Compression Plates (LC-DCP) are strong but bulky, difficult to contour to the anatomy of the clavicle and often cause soft tissue irritation. 3.5mm reconstruction plates, on the other hand, are easier to contour, but offer less mechanical strength [18]. Anatomic pre-contoured implants have the potential advantages of not requiring further bending, having a lower profile causing fewer soft tissue problems whilst retaining the mechanical strength of the stronger plates.

The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical and radiological outcome of the precontoured Acumed Congruent Clavicle Plate (Acumed LLC, Hillsboro, OR, USA) in the treatment of acute, displaced, mid-shaft clavicle fractures. The Acumed congruent plate is pre-contoured, low profile and made from titanium alloy. It comes in right and left sides and different shaped curves (additionally, the right plates can be turned round and used on a left clavicle which increases the selection still further).

2. Material and Methods

A prospective, consecutive case series of patients with acute, displaced, mid-shaft fractures of the clavicle treated with an anatomical congruent clavicle plate. All patients gave informed verbal consent to be included into the study and the study was authorized by the local Audit and Research department and the ethical committee. All fractures were Type 1 fractures according to the Allmann classification system [19]. Thirty five patients with the above fracture were identified and recruited over a twelve month time period. Six patients were lost to follow up and of the remaining twenty- nine, there were 24 male and 5 female patients. Pre-operative assessment included an AP and 45 degree cephalic tilt radiograph (Figure 1). This combination of radiographs is useful in assessment of the amount of displacement and shortening. Post operatively, patients were allowed to perform passive and active assisted exercises for the first 6 weeks.

Heavy lifting, sports and raising the arm above head height were discouraged until signs of union were seen. Patients were assessed clinically and radiological (AP and 45 degree cephalic tilt radiograph) looking for union, plate loosening and implant failure (Figure 2).

Figure 1. AP radiograph of the clavicle demonstarting shortening

Figure 2. 45 degree cephalic tilt radiograph 9 weeks after open reduction and internal fixation

Healing was defined as pain free use of the arm/shoulder without evidence of delayed fracture union on the radiograph. Final outcome assessment was performed at an average of 11.7 months (range 3 to 35 months) post operatively. We used the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) scoring system on all 29 patients [20]. Twenty out of twenty-nine patients additionally completed the American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Shoulder score (ASES), including the Pain Visual Analogue and were available for examination of the shoulder by a member of the medical team at their final follow up.

2.1. Operative Technique

Under general anaesthesia the patients were placed in the supine beach-chair position on a shoulder table. An infraclavicular approach was utilised with careful periosteal stripping. The fracture was anatomically reduced and held with 2.7mm lag screws when appropriate configuration of the fracture permitted this and the plate applied to the superior surface of the clavicle as a neutralisation plate held with 3.5mm screws. Contouring of the plate was not required. An oscillating drill was used to reduce the risk of vascular injury.

3. Results

Twenty nine patients with acute, displaced, mid shaft fractures were treated with the Acumed congruent clavicle plate.

The mean age was 41.5 years (range from 16 to 59 years). 14 fractures occurred while playing sport, 8 were as a result of road traffic accidents (RTA), 6 due to falls and 1 due to an assault with a metal bar. All fractures were in the middle third and displaced greater than 2cm. One patient had an associated ipsilateral dislocated shoulder which required closed reduction under anaesthesia and one patient had additional ipsilateral multiple rib and a scapula fracture which were treated conservativly.

The mean time from injury to operation was 7.8 days (range from 1 to 32 days).

At mean follow up at 11.7 months (3-35 months) the mean DASH score was 13.4 (0.0-77.2) and the mean ASES score was 82.1 (28.3-100). The mean VAS score was 1.7 (0-8). Full range of motion was regained in all patients who were available for examination (20 out of 20 patients).

At a mean of 12.8 weeks (range 7 to 28 weeks) there was a 100% (29 of 29 patients) healing rate.

In one case of a 16 year old (BMI 19.1) the plate was felt to be prominent under the skin and was removed 13 months post-surgery. Mild hypersensitivity of the scar occurred in four patients but this did not limit function.

In several cases it was found that a better fit could be obtained by using a contralateral plate and reversing it (that is putting the medial end laterally). In no cases was it necessary to further contour the plate.

4. Discussion

Mid shaft clavicle fractures are common injuries. The reported results for the non-operative treatment of fractures of the clavicle have been variable. Neer reported a non-union rate of 0.1% for conservatively treated fractures [1], and non-union rate of 4.6% for fractures treated operatively. However the operatively treated fractures were of higher energy and it was accepted that poor surgical technique and fixation devices may have contributed to the non-unions.

Conservative treatment of fractures with shortening is associated with high risk of non-union and unsatisfactory shoulder function [5,6].

Shortening of the clavicle results in altered anatomical relationships and abnormal biomechanical stress on the shoulder [21]. Shortening of 1cm was shown to decrease shoulder function in 50% of cases and with shortening greater than 2cm the deterioration was considerable.

Mal-union of the clavicle may also alter the position of the glenoid fossa which may affect glenohumeral mobility and scapular rotation, leading to unsatisfactory results especially in young and active patients [6].

Controversy exists regarding the techniques used for fixation of displaced middle third clavicle fractures and the type of fixation device used [1,10]. Operative treatment is not without its risks, and a complication rate as high as 27.3% has been quoted [18].

Irritation due to prominent metal work has been a problem with dynamic compression plating and plate removal being a common reason for re-operation [18].

In this series it was found that routine plate removal is not necessary as the implant is low profile and causes minimal irritation.

The Canadian Orthopaedic Trauma Society compared the outcome of conservative and operative management in displaced mid shaft clavicle fractures and showed significantly better function, a lower rate of non-union, and a lower incidence of symptomatic mal-union in the operative group. It was found that removal of the plate was the most common reason for re-intervention. However, towards the end of the study the researchers changed to using the Accumed congruent plate and preliminary results indicated a markedly reduced prevalence of soft tissue irritation, which could lead to a decrease in the need for plate removal [22]. It should be pointed out, however, that there were only 4 patients in the latter group.

Contouring of implants takes time, and experience is needed before plates can be accurately contoured to match the patient’s anatomy. Repeated bending of implants can lead to structural failure. Huang et al compared the anatomy of the clavicle with the shape of the Accumed congruent plate via digital mapping. They found that the plate fitted the S-shaped contour of the superior surface of the majority of male clavicles but not for white female clavicles. However the mapping study did conclude that the plate was adequately shaped for fixation of fractures in the medial three-fifths of clavicles [23]. In this study it was found that the plates can be reversed and used for the contralateral side which provides an increased range of choice. This and the fact there are now different shaped curves on the set may increase the numbers of clavicles the plates now fit compared with Huang’s findings.

This paper describes a series of 29 patients with acute, displaced, mid-shaft fractures. The study is limited in the fact there is no control group and therefore it provides no basis for firm conclusions, or statistical analysis.

However the study does demonstrate that the Accumed congruent plate appears to be an effective and reliable means of fixing mid shaft clavicle fractures and due to its low profile nature, routine plate removal is not required.

References

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