Introduction

In our quality improvement project we implemented a novel pathway, performing acute fixation in mid-third clavicle fractures with >15% shortening. Patients with <15% shortening reviewed at 6 weeks, non-union risk identified as per Edinburgh protocol and decision to operate made accordingly.

Methods

Retrospective pre-pathway analysis of patients presenting 04/2017–04/2019. Prospective post-pathway analysis of patients presenting 10/2020–10/2021. Fracture shortening measured using Matsumura technique. QuickDASH and recovery questionnaires posted to >15% shortening patients and done post-pathway at 3 months.

Results

Pre-pathway retrospective cohort included 141 patients; 69 <15%, 72 >15% shortening. Acute ORIF performed in 15(22%) <15% and 34(47%) >15%. In those conservatively managed, non-union occurred in 2 patients with <15% shortening, and 5 with >15% shortening. Union time was significantly longer in >15% treated non-operatively compared to those requiring ORIF and <15% (18.4 vs 13.4 vs 12.0 weeks; p<0.05). QuickDASH significantly worse in >15% managed conservatively than operatively (17.6 vs 2.8; p<0.05). >15% ORIF had significantly fewer number of weeks until undisturbed sleep than those treated non-operatively (2.3 vs 10.1; p<0.05).

Post-pathway prospective cohort included 37 patients; 17 <15% (of which 1 underwent delayed ORIF), 20 >15% shortening (of which 15 underwent acute ORIF). No significant increase in proportion ORIF performed (43% vs 38%). No non-unions occurred.

Conclusion

Acute fixation in >15% shortening was associated with better QuickDash scores and reduced union times than those treated non-operatively. Implementation of our pathway resulted in no nonunions compared to 5% pre-implementation and thus identifies patients benefitting from acute fixation.