Annals of vascular surgery
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Multicenter Study
Axillary Artery Injury Associated with Proximal Humeral Fractures: Review of Long-Term Vascular, Orthopedic, and Neurologic Outcomes.
Fracture and dislocation of the proximal humerus is common. It is associated with a number of vascular, neurologic, and orthopedic complications; these include brachial plexopathy and avascular necrosis (AVN) of the humeral head. These complications are rare but can potentially cause severe disability to patients; however, they remain poorly described in the literature. To describe vascular, orthopedic, and neurologic outcomes after axillary artery repair, in patients with proximal humeral fractures or dislocations. ⋯ There was an unusually high rate of injuries to the first part of the axillary artery. Close clinical observation is recommended for such patients. AVN of the humeral head and brachial plexopathy remain significant and debilitating complications.