Short Term Outcome Evaluation Of Conservative Versus Operative Treatment Of Fracture Clavicle A Prospective Observational Study

Short Term Outcome Evaluation Of Conservative Versus Operative Treatment Of Fracture Clavicle

Abstract

Background: Clavicle fracture is a common condition mostly treated conservatively. Newer operative modalities have come up to obtain early fixation. Accurate reduction and fixation is important for complication-free management of clavicle fractures. However, there is still doubt amongst orthopaedic surgeons regarding the choice of management for clavicle fractures. Study aimed at analysis of the outcomes and complications of the operative management and its compare with conservative modality.Material And Methods: Ethics committee permission was taken and 30 patients with middle-third clavicle fracture were included in this study. The affected limb was treated either conservatively (Figure of 8 brace and sling) or operatively (OR+IF using recon plate or AO pre-contoured plate or TEN). Regular follow-up till 1 year post-treatment was done. The functional outcome was assessed by Constant and Murley score. Descriptive statistics and Chisquare test were applied for analysing the data.Result: 15 patients were treated conservatively while 15 operatively. 23 (69.7%) had excellent or good functional outcome at 4 weeks irrespective of the treatment. The patients in the operative group who showed excellent results were significantly more than that in the conservative group (p = 0.0324). Average union time in the conservative group was 9.4 weeks, more than the 7.8 weeks seen in the operative group. Mal-union was present in 7 of 17 patients treated conservatively. Superficial infection, implant failure and keloid formation were seen in one patient of operated group. Conclusion: Clavicle fractures managed operatively had better functional outcome with lesser post-operative complications. [RK S Natl J Integr Res Med, 2020; 11(3):
28-32]