Abstract
Background: Lateral end clavicular fractures represent about 15% of clavicular fractures. Nonunion rate is about 22 to 44% due to interacting forces between arm weight and trapezius muscle .
Objective: To assess the clinical and radiological outcomes of fixation by HP versus TBW and to determine which technique provides enough stability to permit early range of motion.
Patients and Methods: A prospective comparative study on 40 patients( 20 patients fixed by HP and others 20 by TBW) was done and followed up at Al-Azhar University Hospitals between December 2019 to April 2021.
Results: The mean age of patients is 35.5 years in HP group and 37.4 years in TBW group with predominance in males than females (25 males and 15 females). Bone union occured in 37 (92%) of cases and non union occurred in 2 (5%) cases in TBW group and 1 (2.5%) case in HP group with average union time about 10 weeks in two groups and mean constant murley score was 86.5 in HP group and 87.6 in TBW group . Superficial infection occurred in 4 cases in TBW group (10% ) with no recorded cases in HP group.
Conclusion: Fixation of lateral end clavicular fractures using HP or TBW results in good functional outcome and low rate of complication where plating has many advantages such as minimal complications, easier technique and early motion of the affected shoulder.