title: Axillary artery injury as a complication of proximal humerus fractures.
abstract: Proximal humerus fractures are common injuries and represent approximately 5% of all fractures. These fractures are infrequently associated with neurovascular injuries. Brachial plexus injuries are uncommon, whereas axillary artery injuries are rare. A review of 19 previously reported cases of axillary artery injury after proximal humerus fracture revealed that 84% occurred in patients older than 50 years, 53% were associated with brachial plexus injury, and 21% resulted in upper extremity amputation. This study describes a case of axillary artery injury after proximal humerus fracture and, on the basis of a literature review, offers suggestions for the early diagnosis and effective treatment of this uncommon injury.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Long Island Jewish Medical Center, New Hyde Park, NY, USA.
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Light
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lustrin
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000368:Aged; D000792:Angiography; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005592:Fracture Fixation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D006810:Humeral Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D016491:Peripheral Vascular Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology; D019919:Prosthesis Implantation