Descriptive Single-center Retrospective Study of a Series of Cases of Clavicle Pseudarthrosis: Epidemiology, Surgical Management, and Functional Outcomes

Summary

1. Study identification Study title: PSEUDO-CLAV - Single-center retrospective descriptive study of clavicle nonunion (pseudarthrosis): epidemiology, surgical management, and functional outcomes PSEUDO-clav\_Notice non oppositi… Study type: Observational study (retrospective, single-center) using existing medical records and imaging Study sponsor / data controller: CHU de Brest Scientific lead (principal investigator): Dr Agathe YVINOU (Orthopaedic \& Trauma Surgery, CHU de Brest) Data Protection Officer (DPO) contact: [email protected]
2. Why is this study being done?

A clavicle nonunion (pseudarthrosis) is when a broken collarbone does not heal as expected and may cause pain, reduced shoulder function, and lower quality of life. Surgery is often used, but because this condition is uncommon, the investigators want to better understand:

who is affected, which surgical strategies are used, how often the bone heals after surgery, what functional recovery and complications look like in real-life practice.
3. Goal of the study (use/keep this "fill-in" format) The goal of this observational study is to describe clavicle nonunion cases treated surgically at CHU de Brest and to estimate how often the clavicle heals after surgery, using information already collected during routine care.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

How often does the clavicle heal ("consolidate") after surgery? Main measure: union rate at \~6 months after surgery (assessment window approximately 4-8 months).

PSEUDO-clav\_Protocole\_scientifi… How do patients recover in terms of function and symptoms, and what complications occur? Examples: shoulder function scores (Constant and/or DASH), pain, return to work/sport, complications and re-operations.

PSEUDO-clav\_Protocole\_scientifi…

If there is a comparison group (optional wording):

Researchers may compare different surgical strategies (for example, plate fixation alone vs. plate fixation plus bone graft, and other techniques when used) to explore whether results differ for healing, recovery, or complications.

PSEUDO-clav\_Protocole\_scientifi…
4. Who may be included? (participant population)

This study may include adults who:

were treated at CHU de Brest, and had surgery for clavicle nonunion between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2024, and were 18 years or older at the time of the nonunion surgery, and have enough information in the medical record/imaging to evaluate outcomes. PSEUDO-clav\_Protocole\_scientifi… Estimated number of participants: up to about 30 cases in this center (because the condition is rare).

PSEUDO-clav\_Protocole\_scientifi…
5. What will participants have to do?

Nothing extra. This study:

uses existing information already in the medical record and imaging systems, involves no additional visits, no extra tests, and no change to treatment, and does not require direct contact with patients.
6. What information will be used?

Information may include (examples):

medical history related to the injury and health conditions, details of the surgery (type of fixation, whether a bone graft was used), lab results (including microbiology if relevant), radiology/imaging reports and images, follow-up notes about pain, function, healing, complications, and re-operations.
7. Risks and benefits Risks to for the patients : Since no new procedures are done, the main risk is related to privacy/confidentiality of data. The study team puts protections in place to reduce this risk (see below).

Benefits: the patients should not expect a direct personal benefit, because care is not changed. Results may help improve understanding of clavicle nonunion surgery, follow-up practices, and future care decisions.
8. How will privacy be protected? Data used for analysis will be pseudonymized (coded). Name and first name are not included in the research dataset.

Only authorized members of the research team can access the data, using secure access (e.g., password-protected files and restricted hospital systems).

Study results will be presented as grouped data, so individuals cannot be identified in publications or conference presentations.

Data retention: research data are kept and archived for a limited duration (e.g., up to 5 years after the end of the study, per the study documentation).
9. Voluntary nature and patient's rights

Because this is a retrospective study using existing records, participation is based on non-opposition (opt-out). The patient can:

object to the use of data for this study, and request access, correction, or limitation of processing as permitted by data protection rules.

How to object (opt out) of PSEUDO-CLAV:

Email the DPO: [email protected], or use the CHU Brest transparency portal (as listed in the notice), or contact the study scientific lead, or write to CHU Brest (address listed in the notice). Choosing not to participate will not affect patient's medical care now or in the future

Conditions

• Pseudarthrosis
• Clavicle Fracture
• Clavicle Fracture, Non Union/Malunion

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University Hospital, Brest

  lead OTHER

Eligibility

Min Age

18 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2026-01-01

Primary Completion

2026-09-30

Completion

2026-09-30

Countries

• France

Study Locations