OBJECTIVETo investigate the safety and efficacy of close reduction and percutaneous needle fixation for the treatment of anterior dislocation of sternoclavicular joint.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was performed with 6 cases of anterior sternoclavicular dislocation by close reduction and percutaneous needle fixation with Kirschner wire treated from January 2001 to February 2009, including 5 males and 1 female aged from 19 to 45 with an average of 28.8 years old. Among the 6 cases, 4 were on right lateral and 2 were on left lateral. The time from injured to treatment was from 6 hours to 12 days (averaged 4.5 days). The clinical effects were evaluated according to Rockwood scoring and the complications were observed.

RESULTSAll 6 patients were followed-up for 3 to 13 months (averaged 6 months). According to Rockwood scoring,the preoperative score was (7.00 +/- 0.89) points, postoperative score was (13.17 +/- 1.72) points; the results showed excellent in 5 cases and good in 1 case. No local infection, postoperative pain,recurrent dislocation,broken needle, and other complications were observed in this study.

CONCLUSIONThe treatment of anterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation with Kirschner wire minimally invasive fixation is an easy, reliable fixation with less complications.