BACKGROUND: The management of the pulseless perfused hand in association with a supracondylar humerus fracture following operative stabilisation remains controversial. Previous authors have suggested the use of color-flow duplex monitoring, magnetic resonance angiography and segmental pressure monitoring as objective steps to ascertain blood flow following adequate internal fixation. We examine the use of the waveform of the pulse oximeter in objectively determining a perfused limb and in predicting the need for surgical exploration in patients who present with a pulseless perfused hand after operative stabilisation for supracondylar fracture of the humerus. METHODS: A retrospective review of all supracondylar fractures over a 60 month duration (2005-2009) in our instituition was performed. Each electronic record was reviewed and limbs which had absent radial pulse following admission were identified. X-ray films of each of the patients were reviewed. A search using the Pubmed database was performed with the following keywords, supracondylar humerus fracture, pediatric, pulseless, vascular injury, arterial repair. RESULTS: In this series of pulseless perfused hands following operative fixation of supracondylar fracture, a total of 26 patients were reviewed. All were Gartland grade III extension type fractures. Postoperative pulse oximeter waveforms were present in all but 4 patients. These patients subsequently had exploration of the brachial artery with significant findings. In the remaining 22 patients, waveforms were present and the child had return of the radial pulse soon after operative fixation without any further need for surgical exploration. At 24 months follow-up, all children were well with no neurovascular compromise. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of a waveform on a pulse oximeter is a sensitive and easily available modality in determining vascular perfusion as compared to other more complex investigations. The high sensitivity of this test will allow surgeons to objectively determine the requirement for surgical exploration of the brachial artery.
Brachial Artery/*injuries/surgery ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Hand/*blood supply ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures/complications/*surgery ; Male ; *Oximetry ; Pulse ; Retrospective Studies ; Vascular System Injuries/*diagnosis/surgery

OBJECTIVETo explore the therapeutic strategy of hot press injury complicating with blood vessel injury in the upper extremity.

METHODSDecompression procedure was carried out in 8 patients with hot press injury complicating with blood vessel injury in the upper extremities, but the effect was not of satisfactory because there were injuries to brachial, radial and ulnar arteries and also injury to the superficial or deep palmar arch. The blood vessels were repaired with direct anastomosis, anastomosis with flexion of the limb, or transplantation with great saphenous vein, and the wounds were covered with intermediate split-thickness skin graft or pedicled thoraco-abdominal skin flap.

RESULTSOne patient with repair of the brachial artery and intermediate split thickness skin graft received amputation 4 weeks after operation because of lack of soft tissue coverage. The blood supply recovered completely in the other patients, so the affected limbs were saved.

CONCLUSIONPrompt exploration and repair of blood vessel, and coverage of the wound with healthy soft tissue are key procedures for the management of hot press injury complicating with blood vessel injury in the upper extremities.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Arm Injuries ; surgery ; Brachial Artery ; injuries ; Burns ; pathology ; surgery ; Crush Syndrome ; surgery ; Decompression, Surgical ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Saphenous Vein ; transplantation ; Skin Transplantation ; Wound Healing ; Young Adult

Complications following supracondylar fracture of humerus are well-known. Pre- and post-operative complications have been documented in the literature. Neurovascular injury due to fracture fragments following this type of fracture is described. Iatrogenic brachial artery during surgical treatment of this fracture is unknown to the literature. So we report a rare case of iatrogenic brachial artery injury during pinning of supracondylar fracture of humerus and try to create awareness to the surgeons that such injuries can occur with improper operative techniques.
Brachial Artery ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; Child ; Humans ; Humeral Fractures ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Male ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed