Open clavicle fractures and associated injuries. 2006

Lisa A Taitsman, and Sean E Nork, and Chad P Coles, and David P Barei, and Julie Agel
Department of Orthopaedics, Box 359798, 325 9th Avenue, Seattle, WA 98104, USA. ltaitsman@u.washington.edu

OBJECTIVE To describe the associated injuries, demographic distribution, and management of patients sustaining open clavicle fractures. METHODS Retrospective case series. METHODS A single level-1 trauma center. METHODS Twenty patients with open clavicle fractures were identified from a prospectively collected orthopaedic trauma registry. METHODS All patients were managed with surgical irrigation and debridement with or without internal fixation. RESULTS Thirteen patients (65%) had a closed head injury. Fifteen patients (75%) had a significant associated pulmonary injury. In that group, there were 10 patients who had a pneumothorax (7 bilateral). Additionally, 12 patients had rib fractures and 11 had documented pulmonary contusions or effusions. Seven patients (35%) had a cervical or thoracic spine fracture or dislocation. Eight patients (40%) had concomitant scapula fractures. Six patients (30%) had additional ipsilateral upper extremity injuries remote from the shoulder girdle. One patient had a scapulothoracic dissociation. Eleven patients (55%) sustained significant facial trauma including fractures (5 patients), lacerations, and hematomas. Fourteen patients (70%) were treated with open reduction internal fixation. Fifteen patients (75%) were followed to healing (mean: 111 wk, median: 56 wk, range: 13 to 333 wk). There were no other complications related to the operative fixations. There were no known infections or nonunions. CONCLUSIONS Open clavicle fractures are a rare injury. Patients often have associated pulmonary and cranial injuries. Ipsilateral upper extremity and shoulder girdle injuries are common, whereas concomitant neurologic and vascular injuries are infrequent. The majority of patients have rapid and uneventful healing of their fractures after surgical treatment.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D009104 Multiple Trauma Multiple physical insults or injuries occurring simultaneously. Injuries, Multiple,Trauma, Multiple,Wounds, Multiple,Multiple Injuries,Polytrauma,Injury, Multiple,Multiple Injury,Multiple Traumas,Multiple Wound,Multiple Wounds,Polytraumas,Traumas, Multiple,Wound, Multiple
D002170 Canada The largest country in North America, comprising 10 provinces and three territories. Its capital is Ottawa.
D002648 Child A person 6 to 12 years of age. An individual 2 to 5 years old is CHILD, PRESCHOOL. Children
D002675 Child, Preschool A child between the ages of 2 and 5. Children, Preschool,Preschool Child,Preschool Children
D002968 Clavicle A bone on the ventral side of the shoulder girdle, which in humans is commonly called the collar bone. Collar Bone,Bone, Collar,Bones, Collar,Clavicles,Collar Bones
D005260 Female Females
D005597 Fractures, Open Fractures in which there is an external wound communicating with the break of the bone. Fractures, Compound,Compound Fracture,Compound Fractures,Fracture, Compound,Fracture, Open,Open Fracture,Open Fractures
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man

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