Transection of the brachial artery after closed posterior elbow dislocation.
Although elbow dislocations are common orthopaedic lesions, vascular complications remain rare. We report the cases of three patients who presented with a rupture of the brachial artery after closed posterior dislocation, which is even more uncommon. Arteriograms were performed in all cases because of the persistent absence of pulses at the wrist after emergency reduction. In each patient, the treatment consisted of the insertion of reversed end-to-end saphenous bridges. None of them presented mid-term vascular complications (mean follow-up, 17 months). Brachial artery disruption can result from closed posterior elbow dislocation and responds well to vascular repair.
Marcheix
Bertrand
B
Department of Vascular Surgery, Purpan University Hospital, Toulouse, France.
Chaufour
Xavier
X
Ayel
Jacques
J
Hollington
Lucy
L
Mansat
Pierre
P
Barret
André
A
Bossavy
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000328:Adult; D000714:Anastomosis, Surgical; D000792:Angiography; D019917:Blood Vessel Prosthesis Implantation / Q000379:methods*; D001916:Brachial Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D004204:Joint Dislocations / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D012421:Rupture; D012501:Saphenous Vein / Q000637:transplantation; D000092464:Elbow Injuries