Proximal humerus fractures with associated axillary artery injury

J Orthop Trauma. 2014 Nov;28(11):659-63. doi: 10.1097/BOT.0000000000000114.

Abstract

Proximal humerus fractures have rarely been associated with injuries to the axillary artery. Most of the fractures described have been Neer 2-part surgical neck fractures with medialization of the shaft fragment and resultant laceration or thrombosis of the axillary artery. No intraoperative deaths have been reported. We present a series of 3 proximal humerus fractures, 2 of which are Neer 3- to 4-part anterior fracture dislocations, and associated axillary artery injury. There were 2 mortalities, 1 intraoperative. After a thorough review of the English literature, we identified an additional 11 cases of axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fracture. The purpose of this study was to heighten the clinical suspicion of this vascular injury in patients with proximal humerus fracture dislocations and surgical neck fractures with shaft medialization, as well as to review pathogenesis and guide management decisions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Axillary Artery / injuries*
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Trauma / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Trauma / surgery*
  • Radiography
  • Shoulder Fractures / complications*
  • Shoulder Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Shoulder Fractures / surgery*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vascular System Injuries / diagnostic imaging
  • Vascular System Injuries / etiology*
  • Vascular System Injuries / surgery*