J Korean Fract Soc.  2016 Apr;29(2):121-127. 10.12671/jkfs.2016.29.2.121.

Hypoesthesia after Open Reduction and Plate Fixation of Clavicular Midshaft Fractures: Correlation with Plate Location and Clinical Features of Hypoesthesia

• Kim SH
• Kim JY
• Koh KH
• Jung MG
• Cho JH

• KMID: 2162014
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2016.29.2.121

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between the location of the plate and the incidence of clavicular hypoesthesia and the clinical features of patients with clavicular hypoesthesia after open reduction and internal fixation of clavicular midshaft fractures.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Seventy-eight patients who underwent open reduction and plate fixation for clavicle midshaft fractures between March 2013 and October 2014 were assessed for eligibility. The total clavicular length (A), the distance to the medial end of the plate from the sternoclavicular joint (B), and the distance to the lateral end of the plate from the sternoclavicular joint (C) were measured. Correlation between the location of the clavicular plate and the incidence of clavicular hypoesthesia was evaluated. In addition, the severity, and recovery of hypoesthesia were evaluated. Patient satisfaction, pain visual analogue scale were evaluated regarding hypoesthesia.
RESULTS
The incidence of hypoesthesia was 32.1% (25/78 patients). No correlation was observed with respect to the location of the clavicular plate and the incidence of clavicular hypoesthesia (p=0.666 at the medial end, p=0.369 at the lateral end). Recovery from hypoesthesia was observed in 23 out of 25 patients (p=0.008). Patient satisfaction and pain showed negative correlation with the incidence of hypoesthesia (p=0.002 and p=0.022).
CONCLUSION
There was no correlation between clavicular hypoesthesia and the plate location. Although most cases of hypoesthesia were recovered, we should try to avoid hypoesthesia due to the negative 'correlation' with patient satisfaction and pain.

Keyword

Clavicle; Fracture fixation; Hypoesthesia; Correlation study

MeSH Terms

Clavicle
Fracture Fixation
Humans
Hypesthesia*
Incidence
Patient Satisfaction
Statistics as Topic
Sternoclavicular Joint

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Flowchart of patient enrollment.

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  Fig. 2 Radiologic evaluation using the clavicle anteroposterior X-ray. A: The total length of the clavicle. B: The distance from the sternoclavicular joint to the medial end of the plate. C: The distance from the sternoclavicular joint to the lateral end of the plate.

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