Brachial artery injury. A complication of posterior elbow dislocation.
A case is presented of a 32-year-old man who sustained a closed posterior dislocation of the left elbow. The dislocation was reduced immediately under intravenous sedation. When, after reduction, the pulse remained weak, angiography revealed a complete tear of the brachial artery. The artery was repaired with end-to-end anastomosis, resulting in a good radial pulse at the end of the procedure. Though dislocation of the elbow is a relatively common traumatic injury, associated brachial artery injury is rare. The authors note that the diagnosis of arterial trauma in such cases should rely heavily on angiography.
Amsallem
J L
JL
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery A, Chaim Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel.
Blankstein
A
A
Bass
A
A
Horoszowski
H
H
D000328:Adult; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000293:injuries*; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D000092464:Elbow Injuries