Decortication and plate osteosynthesis for nonunion of the clavicle

Between 1968 and 1995, 37 patients with ununited fractures of the clavicle were treated by decortication and plate osteosynthesis. Thirty-two (86%) were failures of union of fractures of the middle third. Thirty-four (92%) patients had post-traumatic nonunion or delayed union. Sixteen (43%) patients had undergone primary operative treatment. Autogenous cancellous bone graft was used in 24 (65%) patients with atrophic nonunion. Nine tricortical, iliac crest, intercalary grafts were used for segmental bone loss equal to or greater than 15 mm. At the end of treatment, union had been achieved in 35 (95%) cases. At a mean follow-up of 8.6 years (range 13 months to 17 years), 32 (86%) patients had no symptoms and had a full range of motion of the shoulder. Decortication with plate osteosynthesis is a reliable, durable technique for the management of symptomatic, ununited fractures of the clavicle. (J Shoulder Elbow Surg 1998;7:581-5)