Short-Term Outcomes After Surgical Treatment of Traumatic Posterior Sternoclavicular Fracture-Dislocations in Children and Adolescents

AC Dislocations, SC Dislocations, and Scapula Fractures

“…Posterior fracture-dislocations that are reduced via closed methods have been reported by some to be stable following reduction ), while others have described recurrent instability (Waters et al 2003;Goldfarb et al 2001). Return to full activities can be expected in the majority of patients if the reduction is maintained over time.…”

“…Additional complaints may include shortness of breath, dyspnea, dysphagia, odynophagia, or hoarseness (Waters et al 2003). Patients may also experience paresthesias and/or weakness in the ipsilateral arm if there is a concomitant brachial plexus injury.…”

“…In the vast majority of reported cases, outcomes following open reduction and internal fixation of posterior sternoclavicular dislocations or medial clavicle physeal fractures in children and adolescents have been very favorable (Waters et al 2003;Goldfarb et al 2001;Baumann et al 2010;Koch and Wells 2012;Tompkins et al 2010). Waters et al conducted a retrospective review in which all patients treated with open reduction and suture fixation of a posterior sternoclavicular joint fracturedislocation had restoration of joint stability and shoulder motion with full return to activities (Waters et al 2003).…”

“…The Pediatric Upper Extremity DOI 10.1007/978-1-4614-8758-6_66-1 # Springer Science+Business Media New York 2014 Thus, most patients with acute traumatic posterior sternoclavicular fracture-dislocations are currently managed surgically in order to provide symptomatic relief, restore anatomy, and decrease the chance of late complications such as recurrent instability and degenerative arthritis (Waters et al 2003).…”

“…Therefore, closed reductions should be performed in the controlled setting of the operating room with vascular surgery backup readily available. Concern remains for recurrent instability following closed reduction (Waters et al 2003;Goldfarb et al 2001). …”