Axillary artery injuries after proximal fracture of the humerus

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.

Two stage treatment of a proximal humeral fracture-dislocation with vascular injury: Case report of a multidisciplinary approach

Proximal humeral fracture-dislocation associated with neurovascular injury is rare events, associated with poorer outcomes and higher risk of complications. A multidisciplinary approach including the orthopaedic and vascular department is essential in treating such kind of injury. The goal of the treatment is to restore the vascular supply and stabilize the fracture. Usually the orthopaedic surgical stabilization provides a stable substrate for the vascular repair.

We report a case of 70 years old woman who sustained a 4 part proximal humerus fracture-dislocation with vascular injury at the level of the transition of the subclavian into axillary artery. Because of the impending severe limb ischemia, the priority of the treatment was given to vascular surgical intervention with a by-pass procedure. After 14 days a reverse shoulder prosthesis was thought to be the best alternative in the second stage surgery. At 18 months follow-up we achieved good clinical and radiological outcomes. Although a lack of consensus on the priority of treatments, we achieved good result following our proposed algorithm of treatment.

Axillary Artery Injury Following Closed Reduction of an Age-Indeterminate Anterior Glenohumeral Dislocation

Introduction:

Axillary artery injury is a rare and potentially devastating sequelae of glenohumeral dislocation. While neurovascular exam is critical in all presentations, the presence of “soft” and/or “hard” signs should prompt a more thorough examination and possible employment of advanced imaging techniques.

Case Report:

We present a case of a 51-year-old male with an axillary artery injury associated with an anterior glenohumeral dislocation. The patient was initially evaluated at an outside hospital where the vascular injury was not immediately identified, and then was subsequently transferred to our institution where he underwent bypass grafting without significant sequela. Additional prophylactic fasciotomies were also performed due to concern for reperfusion compartment syndrome.

Conclusion:

Although rare, clinicians should actively rule out vascular injuries when evaluating shoulder dislocations, especially in the elderly patient with a known history of atherosclerotic disease, those with evidence of chronic joint instability, and in the setting of high energy injury mechanisms. Hard signs of vascular injury including diminished distal pulses are the hallmark of this complication, and should always prompt vascular surgery consultation.

Life-Threatening Hemorrhage from an Unrecognized Axillary Vein Injury During Treatment of a Proximal Humeral Fracture-Dislocation with a Known Axillary Artery Injury: A Case Report

CASE

A 57-year-old man presented with bilateral proximal humeral fracture-dislocation and an associated axillary artery injury. He was treated urgently with reduction, arterial repair, fasciotomies, and skeletal stabilization. The patient sustained a massive intraoperative hemorrhage from an unrecognized axillary vein injury after the arterial repair.

CONCLUSION

An unrecognized axillary vein injury led to substantial blood loss that required a massive transfusion protocol. Although an axillary arterial injury is readily identified with computed tomography angiography, concomitant venous injuries may go unrecognized. The surgical team, including the vascular and orthopaedic surgeons and the anesthesiologists, should be prepared to manage a life-threatening hemorrhage.

Axillary artery injury from a closed humeral neck fracture: A case report

Axillary artery injury from humeral neck fracture is an uncommon event. Vascular damage due to these injuries may threaten limb loss. In some cases, the signs of ischemia may not be evident just after the injury and may only appear later on. Therefore, a high index of suspicion is essential. It is important to bear this association in mind, so as to make an early diagnosis and avoid serious complications. We are describing the case of a young patient involved in a motor vehicle crash with an axillary artery trauma due to the surgical neck of humerus fracture. The patient underwent a basilic vein grafting, the postoperative course was good.

Axillary artery injury caused by fracture of humerus neck and its repair using basilic vein graft

Proximal humerus fractures are rarely associated with axillary artery injury. We present a case of a 59-year-old female who had fracture neck humerus along with absent pulsations in the left upper limb after blunt trauma. Computed tomographic angiogram revealed complete occlusion of the left axillary artery. Urgent surgical intervention was done in the form of fixation of fracture followed by exploration and repair of axillary artery. Axillary artery was contused and totally occluded by fractured edge of humerus. Repair of the axillary artery was done using basilic vein graft harvested through the same incision. Postprocedure pulsations were present in the upper limb.

Vascular injury accompanying displaced proximal humeral fractures: two cases and a review of the literature

We present two cases in which displaced proximal humeral fractures are accompanied by vascular injury. These Injuries are very rare but severe and the accompanying vascular impairment can have great clinical consequences. Therefore, we try to emphasize on the importance of thorough and accurate diagnostics, because it is obligatory for early diagnosis and improving the eventual outcome of these injuries. The specific order in treatment (internal fixation first or vascular repair first) depends on the severity of the accompanying vascular injury. The increasing use of endovascular procedures to treat vascular lesions is a very interesting development with several advantages, especially in elderly and multimorbid patients.