Supraclavicular Neuropathy after Surgical Treatment of Clavicular Fractures: Comparison of Two Incisions

Abstract

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY To compare the clinical results of clavicular fractures operated by superior locking plate using either horizontal or vertical incision by physical examination and nerve conduction tests. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between January 2010 and January 2013, 63 patients with displaced midshaft clavicle fracture were treated with superior locking plate (22 female, 41 male) with either horizontal (n = 38) or vertical incisions (n = 25). Mean interval between trauma and surgery was 3 days (1 to 8 days). Electrodiagnostic tests were performed to 15 patients who felt numbness across their shoulder or chest and ASES test was performed to each of the patient 12 weeks postoperatively. IBM SPSS Statistics 22 (IBM SPSS, Turkiye) programme was used for statistical analysis. Student t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed parameters (quantity) and continuity (Yates) test was used. p < 0.05 was accepted to be statistically significant. RESULTS 8 patients of the horizontal incision group and 7 patients of the vertical incision group described numbness across their shoulders. 14 patients had abnormal sensorial electrodiagnostic findings. Comparison of electrodiagnostic findings did not reveal any statistical significance. The mean ASES score of the affected shoulder was 76.39 +/- 1.20 in the horizontal group, in the vertical group it was found to be 79.00 +/- 2.5 ( p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Electrodiagnostic study revealed similar results in both groups. According to these results, significant difference in mean ASES scores of both groups was not related to sensorial injury.of the supraclavicular nerve.