Does operative management provide better outcome in displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures? A randomized control study

Background: Mid-shaft clavicle fracture management has been inclined more toward osteosynthesis in recent times for better functional outcomes. The aim of the study was to find out does operative management in displaced mid-shaft clavicle fractures provide better outcomes than conservative? Materials and Methods: The randomized trial was conducted between December 2017 and July 2019 at a tertiary trauma center on 50 consecutive patients with displaced mid-shaft clavicle fracture. The inclusion criteria included age between 16 and 60 with acute isolated closed displaced mid-shaft clavicle fracture. Patients with neurovascular deficit, compound fractures, pathological fractures, and nonunion/malunited fractures were excluded. Group A had 25 patients who were treated with operative line of management and Group B had 25 patients who were treated with a conservative line of management; division was done on basis of odd (Group A)–even (Group B) technique. Results: Out of 50 patients, the mean age group of patients was 35.5 ± 1 years of life with others ranging from 16 to 60 years. Out of 50 patients, 45 (90%) patients were male and 5 (10%) were female. Out of 50 patients, 42 had a history of road traffic accidents, while 8 had a history of falls. The right side clavicle was affected in 18 patients and left was affected in 32 patients. Out of 50 patients, the mean time of union in operative group was 11.36 ± 2.56 and 11.36 ± 2.75 weeks in nonoperative group. Constant shoulder score was 85.16 ± 15.30 and 84.64 ± 13.52 in the operative group and nonoperative group, respectively. Conclusion: In this prospective cohort study, we have concluded that long-term functional outcomes of conservative versus operative management of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fracture are similar, but primary open reduction with internal fixation of displaced mid-shaft clavicle fracture in young adult patients ensures anatomical reduction, early mobilization, and faster recovery for functional activity while avoiding complications such as malunion.