Sternoclavicular hook plating for traumatic anterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of sternoclavicular hook plate in treatment of the anterior sternoclavicular joint dislocation. Methods A new device named sternoclavicular hook plate was devised by our team. Between May 2002 and Octorber 2009, 66 patients with sternoclavicular joint anterior dislocation were treated with the new device, among whom there were 47 males and 19 females,aged 21-68 years old (average, 32.6 years old). Twenty-one cases were caused by crush injury, 5 cases by falling and 40 cases by traffic accident. Anterior fracture-dislocation was found in 41 cases. According to the Allman system, there were 35 cases of type Ⅱ and 31 cases of type Ⅲ. Patients were evaluated with serial clinical and radiographic examinations. Rockwood score were used after the operation to assess the curative effect. Results The average operative time was 33 min (range, 20-48 min). The mean blood loss was 60 ml (range, 20-90 ml). There were no vascular or peripheral nerve injuries in the patients. All incisions healed smoothly. The X-ray and CT showed that the reduction of sternoclavicular joint and the location of internal fixation were satisfactory. All the 66 patients were followed up for 12-37 months (average, 17 months). There was no internal fixation failure, redislocation or other complications. The sternoclavicular hook plate was removed 12 months after operation. The mean Rockwood's score was 13.2 (8 to 15). There were excellent in 50cases, good in 15 cases, and fair in 1 case. Conclusion The sternoclavicular hook plate is a new, safe and liable technique for sternoclavicular fracture-dislocation. This new technique is helpful for early functional exercises. Key words: Sternoclavicular joint; Dislocations; Bone plates; Fracture fixation,internal