VA-LCP Clavicle 2.7 System
Simon Lambert, Stefaan Nijs, Martin Jaeger, Harry Hoyen, Chunyan Jiang
Fig 1 The VA-LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 System comprises three dedicated plate shapes for the treatment of lateral, shaft, and medial clavicular fractures. The Variable Angle (VA) LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 System is the next generation of internal fixation for the clavicle designed to treat medial, lateral, and shaft fractures (Fig 1). The system was created in response to clinical challenges in the current treatment of fractures of the clavicle and is available in both stainless steel and titanium alloy.
One of the most common complications when treating clavicular fractures operatively is the need for hardware removal due to irritation caused by prominent plates. The VA-LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 System was subsequently designed to treat lateral, shaft, and medial fractures in different size clavicles for patients of small, medium, and large stature. Based on extensive analysis of 15 anatomical parameters on more than 600 clavicle CT scans, the shapes of the VA-LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 are designed to match the bow and contour of the clavicle for low construct prominence and enhanced plate-to-bone fit compared with other systems.
Fig 2 The VA-LCP Clavicle Hook Plate System includes three low profile plate types: Button, Short and Long. As an addition to the VA-LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 System, the VA-LCP Clavicle Hook Plate System 2.7 was launched in August 2021 (Fig 2).
As previously emphasized, the most significant clinical challenge associated with clavicle plating is the high reoperation rate. Poor plate fit and high construct prominence in clavicular fracture fixation causes tissue irritation that can result in patient pain, discomfort, and additional surgery to remove hardware. Specific clinical challenges associated with clavicle hook plates are hook impingement and acromial osteolysis.
The VA-LCP Clavicle Hook Plate 2.7 System provides a solution for both lateral clavicular fractures with associated acromioclavicular ligament and coracoclavicular ligament injuries and ligamentous injuries of the acromioclavicular joint. Higher grade acromioclavicular joint dislocations require surgical fixation. One option for surgical treatment is the hook plate although its use has historically been associated with pain and impingement causing some patients to request implant removal before complete healing. The VA-LCP Clavicle Hook Plate 2.7 System has enhanced hook geometry designed to reduce pin-point contact of the hook on the underside of the acromion (3D morphometric analysis of the acromioclavicular joint—implications for surgical treatment using subacromial support, unpublished data).
Cases using VA-LCP Clavicle Plate 2.7 System
(by Martin Jaeger, Universitätsklinikum Freiburg, Germany)
Case 1: lateral plate
A 30-year-old man sustained a lateral fracture to his left clavicle following a fall from his bike (Fig 9). Intraoperative images indicate plate placement and screw insertion (Fig 10). Intraoperative image revealing usage of sutures through the plate for soft- tissue fixation (Fig 11). Image shows the fracture healing at 8 weeks' follow-up (Fig 12).
Fig 9 a-b Injury x-rays. 
Fig 10 a-c Intraoperative x-rays indicate plate placement and screw insertion. 
Fig 11 Sutures through the plate for soft-tissue fixation. 
Fig 12 a-b X-rays at 8 weeks' follow-up. Case 2: shaft plate
A 54-year-old man sustained a mid-shaft fracture to his right clavicle following a 2 m fall from a ladder (Fig 13). Intraoperative images show plate placement and screw insertion (Fig 14). Postoperative image depicting minimal incision size for plate insertion before wound closure (Fig 15). Image shows the fracture healing at 6 weeks’ follow-up (Fig 16).
Fig 13 a-b Injury x-rays. 
Fig 14 a-b Intraoperative x-rays of plate application. 
Fig 15 Minimal incision size for plate insertion before wound closure. 
Fig 16 a-b X-rays at 6 weeks' follow-up. Case 3: medial plate
A 60-year-old woman sustained a medial fracture to the left clavicle following a car crash. A computed tomographic (CT) scan was performed 8 weeks after the incident (Fig 17). Intraoperative images reveal plate placement and screw insertion (Fig 18). Image shows the fracture healing at 4 weeks’ follow-up (Fig 19).
Fig 17 Computed tomographic scan 8 weeks after injury. 
Fig 18 a-b Intraoperative x-rays of plate application. 
Fig 19 a-b X-rays at 4 weeks' follow-up. Innovations in clavicle fracture management: VA Clavicle System 2.7 mm - Segmental and hook plates
Presentation delivered by S. Lambert (UK) and M. Jaeger (DE), introducing the VA-LCP Clavicle 2.7 System.
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