Comparison of Minimally Invasive Fixation of Mid‐Shaft Clavicular Fractures with Threaded Elastic Intramedullary Nail (TEIN) and Elastic Locking Intramedullary Nail (ELIN)

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of threaded elastic intramedullary nail and elastic locking intradullary nail (ELIN) for mid‐shaft clavicular fractures. METHODS: The clinical data of 47 patients with middle clavicle fracture treated by TEIN and ELIN from August 2017 to March 2019 were analyzed retrospectively. Twenty‐three patients received intramedullary fixation treatment with ELIN, nine males and 14 females, AO/OTA fracture classification type 2A (n = 17) and 2B (n = 6). Twenty‐four patients received intramedullary fixation treatment with TEIN, including nine males and 15 females, AO/OTA classification: type 2A (n = 18) and 2B (n = 6). All patients were anesthetized with ipsilateral cervical plexus block. After internal fixation was removed, the clinical outcomes were assessed and evaluated. The Constant‐Murley score and disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire (DASH) score were compared between the two groups to evaluate the functional status of all patients. The study was done accordingly to the guidelines provided by the ethics committee. RESULTS: All patients in the two groups completed the operation successfully and were followed up. In the ELIN group, the operation time was 20.78 ± 7.71 min, intra‐operative blood loss was 13.26 ± 9.72 mL, incision length was 1.60 ± 0.92 cm, internal fixation removal time was 12.86 ± 2.24 weeks, Constant‐Murley score was 99.30 ± 1.36 points and DASH score was 1.43 ± 3.00 points. In the TEIN group, the operation time, intra‐operative blood loss, incision length, internal fixation removal time, Constant‐Murley and DASH scores were 22.83 ± 8.17 min, 22.08 ± 11.22 mL, 2.48 ± 0.84 cm, 15.66 ± 5.58 weeks, 95.79 ± 7.38 point and 6.69 ± 11.55 point respectively. In the ELIN group, four cases developed skin irritation, and the symptoms were relieved after removal of internal fixation. In the TEIN group, one patient's internal fixation broke and had an obvious scar at the incision, but there was no fracture after replacement of internal fixation; withdrawal of TEIN occurred in four patients, the nail did not shift again until the last follow‐up; skin irritation and temporary bursitis occurred in six patients, and the symptoms were relieved after internal fixation was removed. No other conditions were found in the patients, and bony healing was achieved in all patients. CONCLUSION: ELIN prevents shortening and malunion of the clavicle, reduces secondary damage to related tissues, and leads to restoration of clavicle length and faster osseous healing.