OBJECTIVEThrough reviewing the relevant literature from the past decades, to summarize the assessment and management of fractures of the clavicle, and provide an overview of the clinical results of a range of treatment options.

DATA SOURCESThe data analyzed in this review are mainly from articles included in PubMed and EMBASE, published from 1960 to 2015.

STUDY SELECTIONStudies involving assessment of fractures of the clavicle were reviewed. Further literatures were gathered regarding the conservative and surgical treatment of these fractures, including the methods of fixation and the surgical approaches used. Both conservative and surgical treatments were then compared and contrasted.

RESULTSThrough retrieving and reading the abstract, a total of 42 representative articles were selected, which covered all aspects of the conservative treatment and surgical treatment, and compared the advantages and disadvantages of different treatment options.

CONCLUSIONSAlthough the majority of recent data suggest that surgery may be more appropriate as it improves functional outcome and reduces the risk of complications, we recommend that the treatment should be individually assessed.