An effective nonabsorbable suture technique for distal clavicle fractures

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the clinical and radiologic outcomes of unstable distal clavicle fractures in patients who underwent indirect fracture fixation by performing augmentation with nonabsorbable sutures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this descriptive observational study, 16 patients (11 males, 5 females; mean age: 34.8±12.1 years; range, 18 to 67 years) who underwent indirect fracture fixation using nonabsorbable sutures for Neer type IIB distal clavicle fractures at the Gaziosmanpaşa Training and Research Hospital, Department of Orthopedic Surgery between January 2014 and September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical outcomes were evaluated using the Constant-Murley score and Visual Analog Scale. RESULTS: Complete union was achieved in all patients, and mean union time was 45.3± 8.4 (range, 30 to 68) days. There were no patients with loss of reduction, infection, or requirement for additional surgery. CONCLUSION: The coracoclavicular fixation method, which was applied using nonabsorbent sutures in a limited number of Neer type IIB clavicle fractures, provides a suitable and stable fixation comparable to classical techniques.