Claviculectomy for the exposure and en bloc resection of adjacent tumors.

Claviculectomy has been described for primary or metastatic tumors of the clavicle. In 11 patients, claviculectomy was used as a technical expedient for the exposure and en bloc resection of large, underlying nodal metastases from melanoma (7 patients) and soft tissue tumors (4 patients). There were no wound complications. Three patients developed moderate edema of the arm. There was little limitation at the shoulder, and the use of the upper extremity has been essentially normal. Claviculectomy is well tolerated, provides good exposure of the underlying neurovascular structures, and, in some patients, provides a method of limb salvage for underlying tumors in preference to forequarter amputation.