Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39269465›Full record

ArticleEuropean journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie2024

Operative treatment of clavicle fractures results in more opioids prescribed as compared to non-operative management.

Lucas S Marchand, Makoa Mau, Andrew Stephens, Justin M Haller, Thomas F Higgins, David L Rothberg

Abstract readComparative Study
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In one paragraph

Article in European journal of orthopaedic surgery & traumatology : orthopedie traumatologie, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Lucas S MarchandDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. lucas.marchand@hsc.utah.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-4499-6669
Makoa MauDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. u6055154@hsc.utah.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4048-951X
Andrew StephensDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. Andrew.stephens@hsc.utah.edu.
Justin M HallerDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. justin.haller@hsc.utah.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8269-3925
Thomas F HigginsDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. Thomas.higgins@hsc.utah.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-4679-8583
David L RothbergDepartment of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Utah, 590 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT, 84108, USA. David.rothberg@hsc.utah.edu.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

purposeThe operative treatment of mid-shaft clavicle fractures shows benefit in union rates, return to work, and lower pain scores relative to non-operative treatment. We sought to determine if the surgical treatment of isolated mid-shaft clavicle fractures would result in fewer opioids prescribed as compared to those managed non-operatively.

methodsAll mid-shaft clavicle fractures treated at a Level 1 trauma center were identified from 2012 to 2016. Demographics, fracture characteristics, surgical complications/outcomes, non-operative outcomes, and all narcotics prescribed for 6 months post-injury were collected. Narcotic prescriptions, in morphine equivalents (ME), were obtained through the state prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP).

resultsOne hundred and ten operative and 48 non-operative patients were included. Age, gender, previous alcohol, tobacco or drug use, and final range of motion were similar between groups. Pre-treatment fracture shortening (1.8 cm vs. 0.7 cm, p < 0.001) and displacement (150% vs. 70%, p < 0.001) were greater in the operative group. Total ME's (604 vs. 187, p < 0.001) and post-operative ME's (420 vs. 187, p < 0.001) were greater for the operative group. In either group, no other variable influenced ME's prescribed.

conclusionClavicles treated operatively receive substantially more opiates than those treated non-operatively, despite data suggesting that operative treatment makes clavicle fractures less painful. The total amount of narcotic analgesics obtained by operatively treated patients was over three times that obtained by non-operatively managed patients, which equates to 55 5 mg oxycodone pills or 85 5 mg hydrocodone pills per patient. While there may certainly be advantages to the operative treatment of clavicle fractures, they must be weighed against the risks of a significant increase in opiate prescribing and potential consumption.

Indexed as

Analgesics, OpioidClavicleFractures, BonePostoperative PainAdultFemaleFracture FixationHumansMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesAnalgesics, OpioidClavicle fractureOpioidPrescription pain medicationRegional anesthesiaSurgical block

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Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.