Hook Plate Fixation For Acute Unstable Distal Clavicle Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hook Plate Fixation For Acute Unstable Distal Clavicle Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Hook Plate Fixation For Acute Unstable Distal Clavicle Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
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Asadollahi and Bucknill J Orthop Trauma Volume 33, Number 8, August 2019
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J Orthop Trauma Volume 33, Number 8, August 2019 Distal Clavicle Fracture Hook Plate Fixation
Copenhagen, Denmark). The random effects model was used operation,16,25–27 length of lateral fragment,14 fragment count,14
for data pooling. For dichotomous variables, the odds ratio CC distance deviation,14 and follow-up period.10,14,16,23,26,27,34
(OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated. For the purpose of meta-analysis, we divided the
Where the 95 percent CI included 1, the result is considered studies into 3 main surgical technique groups: (1) hook plate
not statistically significant. For continuous variables, the fixation, (2) CC stabilization, and (3) TBW group. The
weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% CIs were Constant–Murley score was used for the analysis of the
calculated. Any WMD interval that included zero was functional result, as it was the most commonly used outcome
considered not statistically significant. assessment tool among the studies. The study by Hsu et al24
was not included in the functional outcome analysis due to its
short-term follow-up (6 months). In this study, the hook plate
RESULTS was not removed at the time of assessment, which potentially
A total of 714 articles were identified in the initial search underestimates the shoulder function score.26
(Fig. 1). After removing the duplicate records, 698 records Fig. 2 shows the functional outcome following hook
were screened, 674 of which were excluded. The full texts of plate fixation compared with other techniques. There was
the remaining 24 articles were reviewed. Eleven studies met no significant difference in the functional result following
the inclusion criteria. Table 1 outlines the characteristics of the hook plate fixation compared with CC stabilization and lock-
included studies. The total number of patients was 634. Of ing plate. However, hook plate fixation was associated with
these, 397 were male and 237 were female patients. Nine a higher Constant–Murley score compared with TBW (mean
studies were retrospective comparative studies,10,14,16,23,26– difference, 3.52; 95% CI, 0.79–6.26).
29,34 and 2 were prospective randomized trials.24,25 There was no significant difference in the union rate for
The results of the quality assessment performed on the the post hook plate fixation compared with other techniques
studies are shown in Table 2. In all studies, the 2 groups were (Fig. 3). However, the complication rate associated with hook
matched at least for age and sex. Some studies also matched the plate fixation was significantly higher compared with that
groups for fracture side,16,23–26,34 associated comorbid- associated with CC stabilization (OR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.19–
ities,10,23,24 trauma mechanisms,10,27,28 time from injury to 11.33) and locking plate (OR, 5.19; 95% CI, 1.58–17.06)
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Asadollahi and Bucknill J Orthop Trauma Volume 33, Number 8, August 2019
FIGURE 2. Forest plot of functional outcome analysis of hook plate compared with (A) CC stabilisation, (B) Locking plate, and (C)
TBW fixation.
(see Figure, Supplemental Digital Content 1, http://links. plate, potential advantages of CC stabilization are avoiding
lww.com/JOT/A686). Hook plate fixation was associated the need for implant removal and other potential complica-
with significantly lower complications compared with TBW tions, such as rotator cuff impingement and acromial frac-
(OR, 0.28; 95% CI, 0.1–0.77). ture.37 The result of the current meta-analysis confirms this
with the odds of complication being 3.68 times less after CC
DISCUSSION stabilization compared with those after hook plate fixation.
Hook plate fixation is a reliable technique for distal Locking plates rely on multiple screw fixations in the
clavicle fracture surgical treatment.21 The subacromial hook distal fragment to restore CC stability.17 The anatomical
provides distal leverage that allows the reduction of the supe- design and low-profile plate reduces the potential need for
riorly displaced medial fragment. Our findings are in line with plate removal.38 Although the complication rate associated
previous reports showing that hook plate fixation achieves with locking plate fixation is lower than that associated with
a comparable functional outcome and high union rate similar hook plate, locking plate alone may not be suitable for a very
to other techniques.15,35 However, the hook contact can pre- distal fracture, comminuted fracture, or osteoporotic bone,
dispose to subacromial space inflammation, rotator cuff where the distal fragment cannot hold screws. Under these
impingement, acromion osteolysis and fracture.15,22,25,36,37 circumstances, plate fixation combined with CC stabilization
Subacromial position of hook of the hook plate and its can be used to reduce fixation failure.38
leverage force predisposes specific subset of complications Tension band wire fixation using transarticular or extra-
manifesting as shoulder pain and limited range of move- articular K-wire is one of the earliest described techniques for
ment.15,22,25,36,37 The most common complications following the fixation of unstable distal clavicle fracture.10 Our findings
hook plate fixation in this review (n = 59) were subacromial show that TBW can achieve a functional outcome similar to
osteolysis or erosion (27%), acromioclavicular arthrosis (22%), hook plate fixation. The 3.52 WMD in the Constant–Murley
and peri-implant fracture (22%). How to improve the design of score between the TBW and hook plate fixation, although
the hook plate or finding the ideal time to remove it before statistically significant, is less than the minimum clinically
complication occurs can be the focus of future studies. important difference of 10.4 to show any clinical signifi-
Various methods of CC stabilization have been cance.39 However, the present meta-analysis shows that the
described in the literature.16,23,25,27 Compared with hook odds of complication occurring with TBW are 3.2 times higher
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J Orthop Trauma Volume 33, Number 8, August 2019 Distal Clavicle Fracture Hook Plate Fixation
FIGURE 3. Forest plot of union rate following hook plate fixation compared with (A) CC stabilisation, (B) Locking plate, and (C)
TBW fixation.
compared with those occurring with hook plate fixation. This is associated with hook plate fixation is higher compared with
in line with previous reports that found the complication rate that associated with CC stabilization and locking plate and
associated with TBW to be unacceptably high.10,28,40 lower compared with that associated with the TBW technique.
The meta-analysis of observational studies combines
results that are clinically and methodologically diverse.41 Our
systematic review shows that the confounding factors and REFERENCES
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