J Trauma
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Plate fixation is frequently used to repair clavicle fractures, but over drilling can cause subclavian neurovascular bundle damage. The aims of this study were to investigate the anatomic relationship between the clavicle and subclavian neurovascular bundle and to determine safe drilling angles and depths. ⋯ We have used magnetic resonance imaging to determine safe drilling directions and depth for plate-screw fixation of the clavicle. On confirmation, these findings could be used in the clinical setting to reduce the risk of inadvertent iatrogenic subclavian neurovascular bundle injury during surgical clavicle fracture repair.