Comparison of supraclavicular nerve injuries after clavicle mid-shaft surgery via minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis versus open reduction and internal fixation

• Published in: Archives of orthopaedic and trauma surgery 2022-08, Vol.142 (8), p.1895-1902
• Main Authors: Ko, Sang-Hun, Kim, Myung-Seo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Electromyography; Injuries; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Orthopedics; Surgery; Trauma Surgery
• ISSN: 1434-3916; 0936-8051; 1434-3916
• DOI: 10.1007/s00402-021-03941-w

Introduction Only a few previous studies have evaluated the factors related to supraclavicular nerve (SCN) injury after clavicle mid-shaft fracture surgery. We analyzed the frequency and risk factors for SCN injury after clavicle mid-shaft fracture surgery via open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) versus minimally invasive plate osteosynthesis (MIPO) Materials and methods We retrospectively reviewed the cases from 59 patients who had undergone surgery for clavicle mid-shaft fractures between January 2018 and April 2019. Twenty-nine patients had undergone ORIF and 30 had undergone MIPO. The frequency of SCN injury in the two groups was evaluated, and preoperative patient demographics (age, sex, body mass index, smoking, alcohol, diabetes mellitus, and trauma mechanism), and radiological parameters (fracture displacement and shortening) were measured and evaluated as risk factors for SCN injury. When neurological symptoms, such as numbness, were present on the anterior chest wall or at the incision site, electromyography (EMG) was conducted. Results Neurological symptoms were present in 12 patients. Numbness in the anterior upper chest around the incision site was present in eight and four patients who underwent ORIF and MIPO, respectively ( p