Preferences of orthopedic surgeons for treating midshaft clavicle fracture in adults

OBJECTIVE: To determine the current clinical practice in Latin America for treating midshaft clavicle fractures, including surgical and non-surgical approaches. METHODS: A cross-sectional study using a descriptive questionnaire. Shoulder and elbow surgeons from the Brazilian Society of Shoulder and Elbow Surgery and from the Latin American Society of Shoulder and Elbow were contacted and asked to complete a short questionnaire (SurveyMonkey(®)) on the management of midshaft fractures of the clavicle. Incomplete or inconsistent answers were excluded. RESULTS: The type of radiographic classification preferably used was related to description of fracture morphology, according to 41% of participants. Allman classification ranked second and was used by 24.1% of participants. As to indications for surgical treatment, only the indications with shortening and imminence of skin exposure were statistically significant. Conservative treatment was chosen in cortical contact. Regarding immobilization method, the simple sling was preferred, and treatment lasted from 4 to 6 weeks. Although the result was not statistically significant, the blocked plate was the preferred option in surgical cases. CONCLUSION: The treatment of midshaft clavicle fractures in Latin America is in accordance with the current literature.