Nonoperative Versus Operative Treatment of Z-Type Comminuted Clavicle Fractures in Adolescents: A Prospective Substratified Cohort Analysis

Coleen S. Sabatini, Eric W. Edmonds, Jeffrey J. Nepple, Elizabeth S. Liotta, Katelyn Hergott, Michael Quinn, Crystal A. Perkins, Philip L. Wilson, Ying Li, Henry B. Ellis, Nirav K. Pandya, Andrew T. Pennock, David D. Spence, Samuel C. Willimon, Donald S. Bae, Mininder S. Kocher, Michael T. Busch, David N. Williams, Benton E. Heyworth

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

OBJECTIVES:To compare the clinical, radiographic, and patient-reported outcomes of nonoperative and operative treatment of adolescents with comminuted "Z-type" midshaft clavicle fractures.METHODS:Design:Prospective observational cohort.Setting:Eight tertiary care pediatric centers.Patient Selection Criteria:Patients aged 10-18 years who were treated either operatively or nonoperatively for a diaphyseal clavicle fracture between 2013 and 2017 were screened/enrolled at the time of injury. The current subcohort analysis was derived from a larger adolescent clavicle study population of 907 patients.Outcome Measurements and Comparisons:Complications and validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROs):(ASES, QuickDASH, Marx Shoulder Activity Score, EQ-5D, EQ-VAS, and patient satisfaction score) were compared between operative and nonoperative cohorts.RESULTS:Eighty-one patients (69 male [85.2%], 12 female; average age 15 years [11.1-18.7]; 78 with sports participation [96.2%]) were followed through bony healing and return to sports, while 59 patients (73%) completed 2-year follow-up with PROs, 26 of whom were treated nonoperatively and 33 treated operatively. All demographic and fracture characteristics were similar (P > 0.05) between the 2-year follow-up cohorts except for fracture shortening, which was greater in the operative cohort (23 vs. 29 mm, P = 0.01). After controlling for this potential confounder through both regression and propensity matched subgroup analysis, nonoperative versus operative cohorts showed no difference in rates of nonunion (0%), delayed union (0% vs. 2.3%, P = 1.0), symptomatic malunion (2.7% vs. 0%, P = 0.4), refracture (2.7% vs. 2.2%, P = 1.0), unexpected subsequent surgery (5.4% vs. 11.4%, P = 0.45), or clinically significant complications (5.4% vs. 16%, P = 0.17). There were no differences in any PROs between cohorts, both before and after controlling for the difference in fracture shortening (all P-values >0.05).CONCLUSIONS:In this prospective comparison of complications and 2-year PROs in adolescents with comminuted Z-type clavicle fractures, nonoperative and operative treatment yielded similar outcomes.LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)351-357
Number of pages7
JournalJournal of orthopaedic trauma
Volume38
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2024

Keywords

  • adolescent trauma
  • comminuted clavicle fracture
  • displaced clavicle fracture
  • midshaft clavicle fracture

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