Axillary artery dissection after scapular fracture

Axillary Artery Injuries Associated With Proximal Humerus Fractures: A Literature Review and a Proposal of a Novel Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach

INTRODUCTION

Proximal humerus fractures (PHF) are common injuries that can lead to axillary artery injury, which carries the risk of not being identified during initial assessment. The aim of this study was to describe the management of suspected axillary artery injury associated with PHF according to our experience and to describe a new multidisciplinary surgical approach.

METHODS

This was a single-center retrospective study. A database was created for patients admitted for PHF to the emergency department of the Hospital of Cannes between October 2017 and October 2019. Patients admitted with PHF associated with suspected ipsilateral upper limb ischemia, and/or massive diaphysis displacement, and/or upper limb ipsilateral neurological deficits were included in this study.

RESULTS

In total, 301 patients diagnosed with PHF were admitted within these periods. Among these patients, 12 presented with suspected axillary artery lesions, of whom, 6 were included in the present study and treated according to our new approach. A description of these 6 cases, along with an extensive literature review is presented.

CONCLUSION

Based on our experience, the endovascular approach proposed for the management of axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fractures is effective, feasible and reproducible.

Proximal humerus fracture with injury to the axillary artery: a population-based study

BACKGROUND

The available evidence regarding axillary artery injury as a result of proximal humerus fracture consists of individual case reports or small series. This study used nationally representative data to determine the prevalence and predictors of axillary artery injury secondary to proximal humerus fracture, and to characterise its influence on inpatient mortality, length of stay, cost and discharge disposition.

METHODS

An estimated 388,676 inpatients with a proximal humerus fracture were identified in the Nationwide Inpatient Sample between 2002 and 2011, 331 with concomitant axillary artery injury (8.5 per 10,000). Multivariable regression modelling was used to identify independent predictors of axillary artery injury and to assess its relationship with inpatient outcomes.

RESULTS

Factors associated with axillary artery injury were male sex (odds ratio (OR): 1.6, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.2-2.0), atherosclerosis (OR: 3.7, 95% CI: 2.5-5.4), open fracture (OR: 2.9, 95% CI: 1.9-4.5) and the presence of concomitant injuries, including brachial plexus injury (OR: 109, 95% CI: 79-151), shoulder dislocation (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.0-5.8), scapula fracture (OR: 3.4, 95% CI: 2.1-5.4) and rib fracture (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.6-4.0). Axillary artery injury was associated with increased length of stay, costs and mortality, but it did not affect discharge disposition.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides important baseline information regarding the epidemiology of axillary artery injury secondary to proximal humerus fracture. Prompt identification of at-risk patients upon admission might lead to improved diagnosis and management of this vascular injury.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Prognostic level II.