Arterial injury in uncomplicated upper extremity dislocations

The purpose or this study is to analyze causes and consequences of arterial injury complicating simple dislocations of the upper extremity. This is a multicenter, 5-year, retrospective analysis of vascular injury in patients sustaining shoulder or elbow dislocations without associated fractures. Foc i of the study were mechanisms of injury, preoperative imaging, incidence o f closed reductions, types of arterial injury, methods of surgical repair, and ultimate outcome. Arterial injury in this patient cohort occurred in 0. 74% of patients. Axillary artery injury occurred in 0.97% and brachial in 0 .47%. Both elbow and shoulder dislocations may cause severe arterial damage and strenuously test surgical expertise to achieve successful repair.