Clavicle shaft fractures in childhood and adolescence Consensus report of the Pediatric Traumatology Section of the German Society for Trauma Surgery

Introduction: Clavicle shaft fractures are among the most common fractures in childhood and adolescence. In the past they were almost exclusively treated conservatively but in recent years there has been an increase in surgical treatment. Nevertheless, exact recommendations for the choice of diagnostics and for the treatment regimen do not yet exist. Material and methods: Therefore, our aim was to develop a consensus within the 7th scientific working meeting of the section for pediatric traumatology in the German Society for Trauma Surgery based on expert opinion. Results: Single-plane radiographic imaging is considered the gold standard diagnostic tool. Children younger than 10 years are primarily treated conservatively, and the type of immobilization is secondary. In girls older than 12 years and boys older than 14 years, fractures dislocated by more than the shaft width and shortened by > 2 cm should be treated by open reduction and stabilized by osteosynthesis, followed by free-functional follow-up treatment. Conclusion: In addition to X-rays, diagnostics using ultrasound must be further established. Treatment continues to be primarily conservative, but surgical treatment is also important, especially in adolescents. If the indications are correct, a good outcome can be expected regardless of the choice of treatment.