An anterior clavicle plate has been included in the set to

• Decrease the potential of screw pullout, as positioning of the plate on the anterior side of the clavicle functions like a buttress and limits the pullout risk of the lateral/distal fragment [1]
• Increase the safety of the technique as the risk of injury to the neurovascular structures is lower when drilling and screw placement is achieved from front to back, aiming away from subclavicular structures, compared to a superior to inferior direction [1]
• Improve the fit of the plate for smaller (slimmer) patients and thereby decrease an irritation of the soft tissues [1]

The new precontoured 2.7/3.5 mm VA-LCP Anterior Clavicle plate comes in two versions: shaft/medial plates available in 6, 7, and 8 holes, and lateral extension plates available in 7, 9, 10, 11, and 12 holes. The combination holes accept 3.5 mm locking, 3.5 mm cortex, and 4.0 mm cancellous bone screws. The lateral extension plate accepts 2.7 mm variable angle and locking screws, 2.7 and 2.4 mm cortex screws. All plates have reconstruction plate segments and plate undercuts, and are available in stainless steel and titanium.

Biomechanical tests comparing plates with medial or lateral extensions on the basis of a 3.5 mm reconstruction plate have shown much higher strength in compressive bending in static and superior resistance in dynamic tests.

Reference
1 Kloen P, Sorkin AT, Rubel IF, et al (2002) Anteroinferior plating of midshaft clavicular nonunions. J Orthop Trauma; 16(6):425430