Surgical treatment of clavicular fractures with Kirschner wires: a comparative study.

In the period January 1968 to January 1976, 1400 patients were treated for clavicular fractures. In 74 (5 percent) of cases co-adaptation osteosynthesis was carried out and the results are reported. Conservative treatment of clavicular fractures is to preferred. Surgical treatment should be performed only on strict indication. Percutaneous intramedullary Kirschner wire fixation, performed in an atraumatic manner and with proper postoperative treatment, gives good results for simple fractures. A warning is given against over-emphasis on the radiological findings in the treatment of clavicular fractures.