Evaluation of prominence of straight plates and precontoured clavicle plates using automated plate-to-bone alignment

Acta Orthop Belg. 2014 Sep;80(3):301-8.

Abstract

Hardware prominence after plate fixation for clavicle fracture is a common complication. The aim of the study was to perform a 3D analysis of the prominence of different types of superior clavicle plates. An automated fitting of 3 straight and 10 precontoured plates was performed on 52 3D-CT-scan reconstructed cadaver clavicles. The mean and maximum bone-plate distance and maximum prominence was significant higher with the straight plates compared to the precontoured plates. The mean and maximum boneplate distance was significant higher with the precontoured DePuy-Synthes plates compared to the precontoured Acumed plates but when evaluating the maximum prominence there was no significant difference between the most commonly used 8-holes plates. To conclude, precontoured plates of the clavicula diminish significantly hardware prominence. There exists a difference in hardware prominence between different brands of precontoured plates but this difference is limited and in most cases not significant.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Bone Plates*
  • Cadaver
  • Clavicle / diagnostic imaging
  • Clavicle / injuries
  • Clavicle / surgery*
  • Female
  • Fracture Fixation, Internal
  • Fractures, Bone / diagnostic imaging
  • Fractures, Bone / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prosthesis Fitting
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed