Objective To compare the clinical effects of closed reduction and intramedullary nailing versus open reduction and plate fixation in the treatment of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures.Methods A prospective,randomized,controlled trial was performed between July 2012 and May 2014 in 194 patients with acute displaced midshaft clavicular fracture.They were 136 males and 58 females,from 16 to 65 years of age.They were randomly divided into 2 groups to received either closed reduction and intramedullary nailing (n =98) or open reduction and plate fixation (n =96).We recorded operation time,intraoperative blood loss,hospitalization expenses,fracture healing time and complication rate.Functional assessments were conducted at 3,6 and 12 months using the Disabilities of the Arm,Shoulder and Hand (DASH) and Constant-Murley scores.The preoperative general data showed no statistical significance between the 2 groups (P ＞ O.05).Results All the 194 patients were followed up for 12 to 27 months (average,15.6 ±3.1 months).The operation time (27.7 ± 16.3 min),intraoperative blood loss (18.6 ± 14.4 mL),hospitalization expenses (12,462.0 ±3,263.4 yuan),and fracture healing time (12.1 ± 3.0 weeks) in the intramedullary nailing group were significantly better than those(62.3 ± 19.4 min,40.3 ± 17.4 mL,24,760.0 ± 3,320.4 yuan,and 16.9 ± 2.8 weeks) in the plate fixation group (P ＜ 0.05).At 3 months after surgery,the DASH (13.4 ± 3.5) and Constant-Murley (88.5 ±5.9) scores in the plate fixation group were significantly better than those (24.8 ± 6.7 and 69.1 ± 6.2,respectively) in the intramedullary nailing group (P ＜ 0.05).At 6 and 12 months after surgery,there were no significant differences in the Constant-Murley scores or DASH scores between the 2 groups (P ＞ 0.05).The complication rate in the intramedullary nailing group (25.5％,25/98) was significantly higher than in the plate fixation group (9.4％,9/96) (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions In the treatment of displaced midshaft clavicular fractures,compared with open reduction and plate fixation,closed reduction and intramedullary nailing has advantages of less invasion,lower cost and faster fracture healing,but a disadvantage of higher complication rate.The 2 treatments may lead to similar functional recovery of the shoulder.

Objective:To evaluate the precise guidance of intraoperative ultrasound for closed reduction and fixation with intramedullary titanium elastic nail (TEN) in the treatment of clavicle fractures.Methods:The data of 40 patients with fresh clavicle fracture were retrospectively analyzed who had undergone closed reduction and TEN fixation under precise guidance of intraoperative ultrasound at Department of Emergency Trauma, Shandong Wendeng Osteopathic Hospital from January 2017 to March 2019. They were 25 males and 15 females, aged from 25 to 68 years (average, 52.1 years), with 27 cases on the left side and 13 on the right. Reduction and fixation of the fracture was monitored during operation to avoid iatrogenic injuries to the subclavian brachial plexus nerve, subclavian artery and vein and thoracic cavity. The Neer scoring was used at the last follow-up to assess shoulder joint function and complications were recorded.Results:Closed reduction and TEN fixation was completed uneventfully in all the 40 patients under precise guidance of intraoperative ultrasound. The operation time ranged from 20 to 56 min, averaging 36 min; the blood loss from 10 to 35 mL, averaging 22 mL. No injury occurred to the subclavian brachial plexus, subclavian artery or vein, or thoracic cavity. The 40 patients were followed up for 4 to 6 months (average, 4.8 months). All fractures achieved bony union, with no displacement or breakage of internal fixation, or fracture malunion. At the last follow-up, the shoulder joint function was good, with Neer scores ranging from 85 to 95 points (average, 93.1 points).Conclusion:The precise guidance of intraoperative ultrasound improves surgical accuracy and safety, making the closed reduction and TEN fixation a safe and minimally invasive treatment for clavicle fractures.