Comparing the coracoclavicular loop technique with a hook plate for the treatment of distal clavicle fractures.

BACKGROUND: Treatment of displaced distal clavicular fractures is still controversial. This study reports the utility of a new coracoclavicular (CC) loop technique for acute displaced distal clavicular fractures and compared its surgical outcomes with those of the hook plate method.

METHODS: In this retrospective study, a total of 23 patients with acute displaced distal clavicular fractures were treated with a new CC loop technique at a single institution from 2010 to 2014. Another group comprising 49 patients treated with a hook plate was compared with the CC loop group regarding clinical and radiologic outcomes.

RESULTS: Seventy-two patients with at least 1 year of follow-up after both operations were included in this study. The Constant score was significantly greater in the CC loop group (95 vs 87, P = .009) at final follow-up. Moreover, the complication rate was significantly lower in the CC loop group (0% vs 24.5%, P = .007). The University of California, Los Angeles shoulder score and radiologic nonunion rate revealed no significant differences between the 2 groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The new CC loop technique had better clinical outcomes and lower complication rates compared with the hook plate technique.