OBJECTIVETo evaluate the outcome of Titanium Elastic intramedullary nailing(TEN) for the treatment of refracture of clavicle.

METHODSFrom March 2010 to March 2016, 9 cases of clavicle fracture, postoperative re-fracture (plate broken before fracture healing, plate and screw pull out or refracture after fracture union and internal fixation removal) included 6 males and 3 females with a mean age of 38.6 years old ranging from 20 to 62 years old; 3 cases were sports injury, 5 cases were traffic injury, 1 case was severe injury. All cases were closed fractures, and 2 cases were multiple fractures. According to OTA(Orthopaedic Trauma Association classification), 2 cases were 06-A1, 1 case was 06-A2, 1 case was 06-A3, 2 cases were 06-B1, 2 cases were 06-B2, and 1 case was 06-B3. Among them, 4 cases were treated with AO titanium elastic intramedullary nail (TEN), and 5 cases of early internal fixation failure of clavicle fracture were treated with plate and screw internal fixation plus bone graft. The time of bone union, VAS score and Constant Shoulder Score were observed and recorded.

RESULTSAll incisions healed at stage I without infection. All 9 patients were followed up for a period of 14 months. All patients' implants were removed at 12 months after the second operation without refractures. The Constant score of shoulder joint was from 64 to 94 at 4 weeks after the second operation, 91 to 100 at 4 weeks after implants removal. The average bone healing time was 4.3 months from 3 to 6 months. The pain VAS score decreased significantly and the pain was relieved significantly.

CONCLUSIONSTitanium elastic intramedullary nail (TEN) for the treatment of clavicle fracture after internal fixation of refracture patients can be achieved better outcomes, less trauma, good fracture healing, good postoperative recovery of shoulder joint function, but need to pay attention to the reasonable selection of patients.