[Retrosternal luxation of the clavicle. Apropos of 4 cases surgically treated using a temporary screwed anterior plate and review of the literature].

The authors report 4 new cases of retrosternal dislocation of the clavicle operated by capsular and ligament restoration, and temporary stabilization by anterior plating. The 4 patients were men with a mean age of 17.5 years. The lesion was caused by a sports injury (football, rugby) in 3 out of 4 cases and was related to an indirect mechanism. Clinical examination allowed the diagnosis, was related to based on painful palpation of a dip over the joint, supported by radiology and computed tomography. CT did not reveal the epiphyseal separation present in two cases. Complications were frequent: 1 case of tracheal compression, 2 cases of temporary paresthesia of the upper limb, 2 cases of venous compression with one case of subclavian and medial jugularis venous thrombosis, 1 hemopneumothorax. Surgical reduction was performed in all 4 cases after 2 failures of attempted orthopedic treatment under general anesthesia. All patients recovered a full range of movement, a painless shoulder and no recurrence has been observed. All complications resolved after reduction. Venous thrombosis responded favourably after 6 months of anticoagulant therapy. One plate breakage was observed with no clinical implications. On the basis of an extensive review of the literature, the authors discuss the epidemiology, pathology and the importance of associated injuries, which are frequent and sometimes serious, justifying urgent reduction. Computed tomography is the most useful radiologic modality, both for diagnosis and for investigation of complications. Orthopedic treatment must be attempted first (especially in children) according to a well systematized technique. One third of attempts fail, and cases of delayed diagnosis and serious vascular complications, then require surgical treatment. The costoclavicular ligament is repaired either by Burrows's ligamentoplasty or by bone suture; the clavicle is stabilized by bone suture or by anterior plating. The authors do not advocate either joint fixation by Kirschner wire, or resection of the medial end of the clavicle.