Precontoured plating of XXXX : decreased hardware-related complications?

@entity1 @entity2172 @entity158 @entity174
BACKGROUND: Operative treatment of displaced midshaft @entity174 reportedly decreases the risk of symptomatic malunion, nonunion, and residual shoulder disability. Plating these @entity174 , however, may trade these complications for hardware-related problems. Low-profile anatomically precontoured plates may reduce the rates of plate prominence and hardware removal. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We compared the outcomes after precontoured and noncontoured superior plating of acute displaced midshaft @entity174 . Primary outcomes were rate of plate prominence, rate of hardware removal, and rate of complications. Secondary outcomes were @entity2172 and @entity158 and function scores. @entity1 AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 52 @entity1 with 52 acute, displaced midshaft @entity174 treated with either noncontoured or precontoured superior clavicle plate fixation. Fourteen @entity1 with noncontoured plates and 28 with precontoured plates were available for followup at a minimum of 1  year postoperatively. Postoperative assessment included @entity2172 , radiographs, and subjective scores including visual analog scale for @entity158 , American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons questionnaire, and Simple Shoulder Test. RESULTS: @entity1 complained of prominent hardware in nine of 14 in the noncontoured group and nine of 28 in the precontoured group. Hardware removal rates were three of 14 in the noncontoured group and three of 28 in the precontoured group. Postoperative @entity2172 and postoperative subjective scores were similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: Precontoured plating versus noncontoured plating of displaced midshaft @entity174 results in a lower rate of plate prominence in @entity1 who do not undergo hardware removal. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.
