Clinical comparative study of modified incision versus traditional incision for treatment of lateral clavicle fractures

[Objective]To investigate the feasibility,methods,advantages and disadvantages in the treatment of lateral clavicle fractures with modified incision. [Method]From February 2009 to February 2011,50 cases of lateral clavicle fractures were treated with clavicular hook plates by modified incision or traditional incision.Each group had 25 cases.The operation time,blood loss,incision length and wound healing were compared and the outcome was evaluated by Lazzcano standard. [Result]In modified incision group,the average operation time was 44.80 minutes,the blood loss was 49.76 ml,and the incision length was 3.36 cm,compared with 46.92 min,51.76 ml and 4.42 cm in the traditional group.All the cases achieved good wound healing.There was no significant difference in operation time and blood loss(P0.05).There was significant difference in incision length.According to Lazzcano standard,there was no significant difference in excellent and good results.In modified incision group,the excellent and good results were 87.3% compared 85.2% in the traditional group(P0.05). [Conclusion]The modified incision has the advantages of less tissue trauma,convenient manipulation,satisfactory results and easy to operate.It is a preferable surgical treatment for lateral clavicle fractures.