Iatrogenic brachial artery injury during anterolateral plating of humeral shaft fracture.
- Author:
Vishal KUMAR
1
;
Prateek BEHERA
;
Sameer AGGARWAL
;
Umesh Kumar MEENA
Author Information
1. Department of Orthopedics, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India.
- Publication Type:Case Reports
- MeSH:
Bone Plates;
Brachial Artery;
Fracture Fixation, Internal;
Humans;
Humeral Fractures;
surgery;
Humerus;
Iatrogenic Disease
- From:
Chinese Journal of Traumatology
2013;16(6):371-374
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
There are several well defined indications for surgical management of humeral shaft fractures. Operative procedures on the humerus are associated with their own complications. Iatrogenic brachial artery injury as a complication of humeral shaft plating has not been reported previously. We report a case of a 48 years old female, who received operation at a district hospital and was referred to us when the surgeon could not palpate the pulse. CT angiogram showed that there was segmental non-opacification of the brachial artery. There was distal reformation and the thrombosis was decided to be managed conservatively. We believe that the arterial injury was a result of improper surgical technique and the segmental block might be due to improper use of plate holding forceps. This case report makes us aware of a rare complication of operative management of humeral shaft fractures and that basic principles of surgery must be always followed to prevent such injuries.
