Abstract
We report three patients (two males and one female) with partial or extensive defect of the clavicle. Their ages were 38, 20 and 48 years. The cause of the defect in the first patient was osteomyelitis after the osteosynthesis for fracture. Length of the defect was approximately 5 cm. The second patient suffered from alveolar soft part sarcoma in the chest. After chemotherapy and radiation, the surgery was performed. The clavicle was temporality osteotomized, and then fixed with a plate. Non-union occured, and the clavicle was gradually absorbed, resulting in partial defect of the clavicle. The third patient suffered from fibrous dysplasia. The entire clavicle was excised because of multiple episodes of fracture. The scapula of the third patient rotated and protruded, while neither of the other two patients revealed any deformity of the shoulder girdle.
All patients were light workers, and their occupational demand was not heavy on the shoulder girdle. Their daily activity was not disturbed. Reconstruction of the clavicle may not be needed, especially in patients with light work. Heavy workers may benefit from clavicular reconstruction, although a more invasive procedure is required.
