Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1 , Pages 45-49, January 2008

Infection After Surgical Reconstruction of a Clavicle Fracture Using a Reconstruction Plate: A Report of Seven Cases

  • Ping-Cheng Liu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chih-Hsin Hsieh

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Jian-Chih Chen

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Cheng-Chang Lu

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Chin-Yi Chuo

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • ,
  • Song-Hsiung Chien

      Affiliations

    • Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress correspondence and reprint requests to: Dr Song-Hsiung Chien, Department of Orthopedics, Kaohsiung Municipal Hsiao-Kang Hospital, 482 Shan-Ming Road, Kaohsiung 812, Taiwan

Received 29 December 2006; accepted 15 March 2007.

Article Outline

Mid-shaft clavicle fractures have traditionally been treated conservatively, although this has been associated with non-union and unsatisfactory shoulder function. The preferred approach is plate fixation, with a reconstruction plate for open reduction and internal fixation. Infection is a potential complication after such surgery, with rates of 0.4-7.8% reported in the literature. In our cases, an infection rate of 4.9% (7 of 142 patients) was noted; five of the seven patients suffered from acute postoperative infection within 1 month of surgery. The average time to presentation with an infection was 28 (23-32) days, with signs and symptoms of wound dehiscence in one patient and sinus discharge in four patients. Two patients suffered from subacute infections, with durations of 72 and 103 days, presenting with local heat and radiographic findings of screw loosening. Six of the cases healed with primary bony union after intensive debridement and early removal of the implants.

Key Words:  clavicle fracture , infection , reconstruction plate

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References 

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PII: S1607-551X(08)70073-1

doi:10.1016/S1607-551X(08)70073-1

Kaohsiung Journal of Medical Sciences
Volume 24, Issue 1 , Pages 45-49, January 2008

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