Osteosynthesis of irreducible fractures of the clavicle with 2.7-MM ASIF plates.

Thirty-six patients with Allman group-2 fractures of the clavicle were treated by ORIF with 2.7-mm ASIF dynamic compression plates. The indications for surgery were an open fracture in one patient, ipsilateral fractures of the arm or the ribs in five patients, bilateral clavicular fractures in one patient, and an inability to reduce the fracture in all other patients. There were no instances of deep infection. One patient suffered a refracture after plate removal; three patients developed pseudarthrosis because plates that were too short were used. The total failure rate was 12%. It is concluded that the 2.7-mm DCP is the method of choice for internal fixation of midshaft clavicular fractures and that a minimum of three screws should be placed in each fragment.