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Case Reports
. 2023 Sep 4;15(9):e44627.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.44627. eCollection 2023 Sep.

Thrombosis of the Brachial Artery After Closed Elbow Dislocation

Bensitel Omar  1 , El Fahd Othmane  2 , El Jebbouri Khalid  1 , Rahmi Mohammed  1 , Rafai Mohamed  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Thrombosis of the Brachial Artery After Closed Elbow Dislocation

Bensitel Omar et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

Posterior dislocation of the elbow joint is the second commonest large joint dislocation that can be experienced due to various traumatic incidents. Although it may be associated with fractures and vascular lesions, in this case report, we describe a patient who encountered a posterolateral elbow dislocation following a fall on their arm with an extended elbow. This dislocation was followed by delayed thrombosis of the brachial artery, necessitating a revascularization surgery. For optimal patient care, physicians should remain vigilant, being cautious about potential vascular injuries both before and after performing a closed reduction of the elbow joint. The suspicion of vascular injury should be even more pronounced when bony lesions or open injuries are present. Effective management of such cases requires a collaborative effort between orthopedic and vascular surgeons. The preferred surgical approach involves the utilization of a saphenous graft, with the essential prerequisite of achieving a stable elbow joint before proceeding with revascularization.

Keywords: brachial artery thrombosis; complications of elbow dislocation; elbow dislocation; elbow injury; vascular graft.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Elbow radiographs demonstrate posterior elbow dislocation before reduction, with no signs of bone lesions.
(A) Anteroposterior (AP) view of elbow X-ray. (B) Lateral view of elbow X-ray
Figure 2
Figure 2. Radiographic view after closed reduction, where joint congruence is restored.
(A) Anteroposterior (AP) view of elbow X-ray. (B) Lateral view of elbow X-ray
Figure 3
Figure 3. Interposition of a saphenous vein graft for brachial artery repair.
(A)  Thrombosed brachial artery along a length of 4 centimeters. (B and C) The interposition graft utilized the distal portion of the ipsilateral saphenous vein.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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