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CC BY 4.0 · Arch Plast Surg 2024; 51(01): 067-071
DOI: 10.1055/s-0043-1775880
Breast/Trunk
Case Report

Clavicle Fracture Site Surgical Contouring: A Case Report

Annachiara Cavaliere 
1   Unit of Plastic Surgery, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
,
Vincenzo Cepparulo 
1   Unit of Plastic Surgery, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
,
Giuseppe Pezone 
1   Unit of Plastic Surgery, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
,
Fabrizio Schonauer 
1   Unit of Plastic Surgery, University “Federico II”, Naples, Italy
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Abstract

Clavicle fractures are frequent injuries accounting for approximately 4% of all fractures in adults with about 35% occurring in the shoulder region among which midshaft fractures are the most common (>66%). Nonsurgical management is the treatment of choice for most clavicle fractures; however, poor functional and aesthetic outcomes may result from nonunion, symptomatic malunion, and aesthetic impairment which are the most common complications. A young woman was referred to our clinic for a “Step Deformity” resulting after primary, nonsurgical treatment of a midshaft clavicle fracture. Residual deformity was corrected with a novel simple and little invasive approach. Midshaft clavicle fractures typically only require conservative nonsurgical treatment, nevertheless suboptimal outcomes may occur. Selective osteotomies and fixation are deemed too invasive when only cosmetic impairment of the clavicle contour is present without any functional or sensitive damage and most patients are discouraged from undergoing surgery. Thus far, no specific focus on this topic, nor exploration of possible correction can be found in the published literature. These residual deformities may be very noticeable sometimes and cause psychological distress and social life impairment. Despite no related functional impairment, this deformity should still be addressed, to improve patients' quality of life.

Keywords

case report - clavicle fracture - clavicle contour - step deformity

Authors' Contributions

F.S. conceived of the presented idea. F.S., A.C., and G.P. performed the surgery. V.C. wrote the first draft of the manuscript. F.S., A.C. revised the draft and wrote the final manuscript. All the authors approved the final version of the manuscript.


Ethical Approval

This article does not contain any studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors.


Patient Consent

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for the publication of this case report.




Publication History

Received: 05 July 2023

Accepted: 01 September 2023

Article published online:
07 February 2024

© 2024. The Author(s). This is an open access article published by Thieme under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, permitting unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction so long as the original work is properly cited. (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)

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