Supraclavicular nerve sparing versus sacrifice during open reduction internal fixation of acute midshaft clavicle fracture

Background The branches of the supraclavicular nerve are often sacrificed during open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for clavicle fracture. No consensus exists on whether the supraclavicular nerve should be routinely identified and protected during ORIF. Methods We developed a simple method to make nerve sparing easier; Wide-Awake Local Anesthesia No Tourniquet (WALANT) solution is locally injected prior to the surgical incision being made. This retrospective study enrolled 340 patients and divided them into supraclavicular-nerve-sparing (n = 45) and supraclavicular-nerve-sacrifice (n = 295) groups. Surgical outcomes--including operative time, estimated blood loss, postoperative pain, union rate, time to union, functional score, paresthesia, complications, implant removal rate, and complication rate--were recorded. Results Incisional or anterior chest wall numbness and intraoperative blood loss were significantly less (p < 0.001) in the nerve-sparing group. The operative time was similar in the two groups. No significant differences were discovered in QuickDASH score, postoperative pain score, union rate, time to union, implant removal rate, complication rate, or revision rate. Conclusions Our study demonstrated that the outcomes of supraclavicular nerve sparing during ORIF with WALANT can reduce postoperative incisional and anterior chest wall numbness and intraoperative blood loss without increasing the operative time or complication rate. Keywords: Clavicle fracture, Open reduction internal fixation of clavicle fractures, Supraclavicular nerve sparing, WALANT, Clavicle fracture outcomes