Operative treatment of midclavicular fractures in 62 elderly patients: knowles pin versus plate

Orthopedics. 2007 Nov;30(11):959-64. doi: 10.3928/01477447-20071101-13.

Abstract

This prospective, randomized trial compared treatment with Knowles pins and plates in 62 elderly patients (>50 years) with midclavicular fractures. The clinical outcomes were evaluated at 30 months postoperatively. The mean shoulder score of the Knowles pinning was 85 points and the plating was 84 points (P=.7). Knowles pinning requires significantly shorter operative time (P<.001), smaller wound size (P<.001), shorter hospital stay P=.03), less meperidine use (P=.02), lower complication rate (P=0.04), and less symptomatic hardware (P=.015). If surgery of mid-third clavicular fractures is indicated, fixation with a Knowles pin has more advantages than plate fixation in elderly patients.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acetaminophen / therapeutic use
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic / therapeutic use
  • Analgesics, Opioid / therapeutic use
  • Bone Nails*
  • Bone Plates*
  • Clavicle / injuries
  • Clavicle / surgery*
  • Drug Utilization / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / adverse effects
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal / methods*
  • Fracture Healing
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Length of Stay / statistics & numerical data
  • Male
  • Meperidine / therapeutic use
  • Middle Aged
  • Pain, Postoperative / drug therapy
  • Prospective Studies
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Analgesics, Non-Narcotic
  • Analgesics, Opioid
  • Acetaminophen
  • Meperidine