Displaced comminuted midshaft clavicle fractures: use of Mennen plate fixation system.

BACKGROUND: Surgical treatment of displaced comminuted midclavicular fractures includes open reduction and stabilization with wires, pins, or screwed plates. However, it is often difficult stabilizing small fragments, and there are several complications. The aim of this study was to assess an alternative technique using a Mennen plate.

METHODS: From 1999 to 2004, we treated a cohort of 43 patients with a displaced three- or four-part midclavicular fracture. All patients were followed up at an average of 1 year after the injury: they had a functional evaluation and were assessed radiographically.

RESULTS: The fractures of 41 patients had healed, with two cases of nonunion and no case of infection or osteomyelitis. All of them presented normal function of the shoulder and shoulder girdle symmetry.

CONCLUSIONS: A Mennen plate is a good device for the treatment of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures. The technique is simple and the operation time is shortened; the bone architecture is protected by any damage caused by drill holes; and the endosteal blood supply is preserved as a result of the paraskeletal position of the plate.