Extract
Displaced comminuted fractures of the clavicle are associated with
an approximately 5% to 10% prevalence of
nonunion1-5,
and malunion (particularly when associated with >2 cm of shortening) can
affect shoulder
function1,6-9.
While nonoperative treatment of clavicular fractures leads to excellent
shoulder function in the vast majority of
patients5, some
patients with potentially problematic displaced and comminuted fractures now
request operative treatment. Intramedullary fixation of the fractured clavicle
is recognized as a well-established method of
treatment10-14.
The present report describes the cases of three patients in whom a brachial
plexus palsy developed after intramedullary fixation of a displaced clavicular
fracture; to our knowledge, this complication has not been described
previously. The patients were informed that data concerning their cases would
be submitted for publication.