Titanium Elastic Nail versus plate fixation of displaced midshaft clavicle fractures: A retrospective comparison study

This study has two purposes: (1) to compare the clinical results between the Titanium Elastic Nail (TEN) and plate fixation of the displaced midshaft clavicle fracture; and (2) to demonstrate the relationship between length shortening and functional outcome after TEN fixation, especially in the comminuted fracture pattern. A retrospective, case-controlled study was conducted and 55 patients were included in our study: 25 in the TEN fixation group (TEN group) and 30 in the plate fixation group (plate group). All patients were classified into four subgroups: simple fracture in the TEN group (ST; n = 13), simple fracture in the plate group (SP; n = 15), comminuted fracture in the TEN group (CT; n = 12), and comminuted fracture in the plate group (CP; n = 15). Wound size was significantly smaller in the TEN group (p