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Introduction Due to the variation in shape and curvature of the clavicle, plates often have to be adjusted during surgery to acquire a good fit. Poorly fitted plates can cause discomfort, eventually requiring implant removal. 3D-printed replicas of the fractured clavicle can assist in planning of the surgical approach, plate selection and, if necessary, adjustment of the plate prior to surgery. We hypothesized this method of preoperative preparation would reduce implant-related discomfort resulting in a reduced reoperation rate Materials and methods In a prospective cohort study, perioperative plate handling and clavicle fixation were timed and follow-up data were collected from participants undergoing operative treatment for a midshaft clavicle fracture. The control group (n = 7) received conventional surgery with standard precontoured plates. For the intervention group (n = 7), 3D-printed replicas of the fractured clavicle and a mirrored version of the healthy contralateral clavicle were available prior to surgery for planning of the surgical approach, and for plate selection and contouring. Primary outcome was reoperation rate due to implant-related discomfort. Secondary outcomes were complications and time differences in the different surgical phases (reduction, fixation and overall operation time) Results More participants in the control group had the plate removed due to discomfort compared to the intervention group (5/7 vs. 0/6; P = 0.012). One participant was excluded from the intervention group due to a postoperative complication; an infection occurred at the implant site. No relevant time difference in surgical plate handling was found between both groups. Conclusions Preoperative preparation using 3D-printed replicas of the clavicle fracture may reduce implant removal caused by plated-related discomfort. No relevant effect on surgery time was found. Trial registration Registered with ‘toetsingonline.nl’, trial number NL51269.075/14, 17-02-2015

A hiatal hernia is a condition in which intraabdominal content herniates into the intrathoracic cavity. On rare occasions, a hiatal hernia can lead to cardiorespiratory compromise. We report a case of chest pain followed by cardiac arrest in a patient not known to have hiatal hernia, and without preliminary symptoms. The patient was suspected of having cardiac ischemia; however, angiography did not reveal any abnormalities. Chest tomography revealed a large paraesophageal hernia with compression of the right ventricle causing decreased preload and cardiac output. Gastric decompression was performed, and definitive surgical treatment took place the subsequent day. The postoperative course was uncomplicated.

Background Lateral clavicle fractures account for 17% of all clavicle fractures and large studies comparing nonoperative and operative treatment are lacking. Therefore, patients cannot be properly informed about different treatment options and prognosis. We assessed long-term patient-reported and clinical outcomes in patients with lateral clavicle fractures. Methods A multicenter cross-sectional study was performed in patients treated for lateral clavicle fractures between 2007 and 2016. Primary outcome included patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) (DASH, EQ-5D, return to work, sports, cosmetics and satisfaction). Questionnaires were sent to 619 eligible patients, of which 353 (57%) responded after a mean follow-up of 7.4 ± 2.8 years. Secondary outcome included adverse events and secondary interventions. Outcomes after nonoperative vs. operative treatment (stratified by nondisplaced vs. displaced fractures) were compared using Student t tests and linear regression analysis. Results Nondisplaced lateral clavicle fractures were treated nonoperatively and resulted in excellent PROMs. Six patients (3%) developed a nonunion. For displaced lateral clavicle fractures, no differences were found between nonoperative and operative treatment with regard to DASH score (7.8 ± 12.5 vs 5.4 ± 8.6), EQ-5D (0.91 ± 0.13 vs 0.91 ± 0.09), pain (0.9 ± 1.7 vs. 0.8 ± 1.6), patient satisfaction (90.1 ± 25.5 vs. 86.3 ± 20.4), return to work (96.4% vs. 100%) and sports (61.4% vs. 62.3%). The absolute risk of nonunion in patients with a displaced fracture was higher after nonoperative than operative treatment (20.2% vs. 2.9%; p = 0.002), with six patients needing treatment to avoid one nonunion. Conclusions Nondisplaced lateral clavicle fractures should be treated nonoperatively and result in good functional outcomes and high union rates. For displaced fractures, neither nonoperative nor operative treatment seems superior. Patients opting for nonoperative treatment should be informed that nonunion occurs in 20% of patients, but only half of these need additional operative treatment. Patients who opt for surgery should be told that nonunion occurs in only 3%; however, most patients (56%) will require secondary intervention for elective implant removal. Regardless of the type of treatment, no differences in functional outcome and PROMs should be expected at long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND Clavicle and rib fractures are often sustained concomitantly. The combination of injuries may result in decreased stability of the chest wall, making these patients prone to (respiratory) complications and prolonged hospitalization. This study aimed to assess whether adding chest wall stability by performing clavicle fixation improves clinical outcomes in patients with concurrent clavicle and rib fractures. METHODS A prospective multicenter study was performed including all adult patients admitted between January 2018 and March 2021 with concurrent ipsilateral clavicle and rib fractures. Patients treated operatively versus nonoperatively for their clavicle fracture were matched using propensity score matching. The primary outcome was hospital length of stay (HLOS). Secondary outcomes were intensive care unit length of stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, pain, complications, and quality of life at 6 weeks and 12 months of follow-up. RESULTS In total, 232 patients with concomitant ipsilateral clavicle and rib fractures were included. Fifty-two patients (22%) underwent operative treatment of which 39 could be adequately matched to 39 nonoperatively treated patients. No association was observed between clavicle plate fixation and HLOS (mean difference, 2.3 days; 95% confidence interval, −2.1 to 6.8; p = 0.301) or any secondary endpoint. Eight of the 180 nonoperatively treated patients (4%) had a symptomatic nonunion, for which 5 underwent secondary clavicle fixation. CONCLUSION We found no evidence that, in patients with combined clavicle and multiple rib fractures, plate fixation of the clavicle reduces HLOS, pain, or (pulmonary) complications, nor that it improves quality of life. STUDY TYPE Therapeutic/Care Management; Level III.

Iba Y, et al. Thoracic endovascular aortic repair for challenging aortic arch diseases using fenestrated stent grafts from zone 0.