BACKGROUND: Intramedullary clavicle fixation is a potential alternative to plate fixation. Previous studies documenting the complication rates of intramedullary clavicle fixation have demonstrated variable rates of soft tissue complications and @entity174 healing. QUESTIONS/PURPOSES: We asked the following questions: (1) Does use of the Rockwood Clavicle @entity7894 (DePuy Orthopaedics Inc, Warsaw, IN) predispose @entity1 to soft tissue complications requiring additional surgery or a high infection risk? (2) Does the Rockwood Clavicle @entity7894 provide a truly minimally invasive insertion technique and reliable @entity174 fixation? @entity1 AND METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 18 @entity1 (mean age, 31 years) who sustained a closed midshaft @entity174 of the clavicle treated with open intramedullary nailing with a Rockwood Clavicle @entity7894 . We determined the incidence of complications and rate of @entity174 healing. RESULTS: Fourteen complications occurred in 10 @entity1 . Five @entity1 experienced a complication with @entity174 healing, including three nonunions. Nine @entity1 experienced complications relating to soft tissue, including @entity39 , or posterior @entity158 from @entity7894 prominence. CONCLUSIONS: The Rockwood Clavicle @entity7894 remains a historically relevant method of clavicle fixation. However, due to an unacceptably high rate of nonunion, repeat operation, and soft tissue complications, we do not recommend this device for treating @entity174 . LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level IV, therapeutic study. See Guidelines for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Excessive complications of open intramedullary nailing of midshaft XXXX with the Rockwood Clavicle @entity7894 .

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients', 'PATIENTS'] @entity174 :: ('MESH:D050723', 'Disease') :: ['fracture', 'middiaphyseal clavicle fractures'] @entity39 :: ('MESH:D009336', 'Disease') :: ['infection, skin necrosis'] @entity7894 :: ('8655', 'Gene') :: ['pin', 'Pin'] @entity158 :: ('MESH:D010146', 'Disease') :: ['pain']
@entity174 :: (MESH:D050723,Disease) :: ['clavicle fractures']
