Distal clavicle fractures in children.

OBJECTIVE To analyze fractures of the distal clavicle region in pediatric patients. METHODS Ten patients between the ages of five to eleven years (mean of 7.3 years) were observed. Nine patients were treated conservatively and one surgically. All the fractures were classified using the Nenopoulos classification system. RESULTS All the fractures consolidated without complications. Conservative treatment was used for nine patients, of whom three were in group IIIB, three IIb, two IIa and one IV. The only patient who was treated surgically was a female patient of eleven years of age with a group IV fracture. CONCLUSION The treatment indication for distal fractures of the clavicle in children should be based on the patient's age and the displacement of the fragments.