Complications Associated with Clavicular Fracture
NOR200061.qxd 9/11/09 1:23 PM Page 217 Complications Associated With Clavicular Fracture George Mouzopoulos ▼ Emmanuil Morakis ▼ Michalis Stamatakos ▼ Mathaios Tzurbakis The objective of our literature review was to inform or- subclavian vein, due to its stable connection with the thopaedic nurses about the complications of clavicular frac- clavicle via the cervical fascia, can also be subjected to ture, which are easily misdiagnosed. For this purpose, we injuries (Casbas et al., 2005). Damage to the internal searched MEDLINE (1965–2005) using the key words clavicle, jugular vein, the suprascapular artery, the axillary, and fracture, and complications. Fractures of the clavicle are usu- carotid artery after a clavicular fracture has also been ally thought to be easily managed by symptomatic treatment reported (Katras et al., 2001). About 50% of injuries to the subclavian arteries are in a broad arm sling. However, it is well recognized that not due to fractures of the clavicle because the proximal all clavicular fractures have a good outcome. Displaced or part is dislocated superiorly by the sternocleidomas- comminuted clavicle fractures are associated with complica- toid, causing damage to the vessel (Sodhi, Arora, & tions such as subclavian vessels injury, hemopneumothorax, Khandelwal, 2007). If no injury happens during the ini- brachial plexus paresis, nonunion, malunion, posttraumatic tial displacement of the fractured part, then it is un- arthritis, refracture, and other complications related to os- likely to happen later, because the distal segment is dis- teosynthesis. Herein, we describe what the orthopaedic nurse placed downward and forward due to shoulder weight, should know about the complications of clavicular fractures.
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