• A Platz, M Heinzelmann, W Ertel, and O Trentz.
• Department of Surgery, University Hospital Zurich, Switzerland. andreas.platz@chi.usz.ch
• J Trauma. 1999 May 1; 46 (5): 948950948-50.

BackgroundInjury of the brachial artery is a rare (5-13%) but serious complication after closed elbow dislocation without associated fractures.MethodRetrospective analysis of long-term results (mean, 4.1 years) in four patients.ResultsAll patients underwent emergency repair of the arterial injury within 2.5 hours. In three patients, a reversed saphenous vein graft was used; in one patient the artery was sutured. This latter patient needed another operation with interposition of a reversed saphenous graft, because the primary anastomosis occluded. The capsule and the collateral ligaments were immediately reconstructed in three patients because of instability. No patient showed claudication of the arm. In three patients, a sensory deficiency of median nerve persisted. Average range of motion was 128 degrees of flexion (120-135 degrees) and an extension deficit of 7.5 degrees (15-0 degrees).ConclusionPrimary repair of vascular injury after closed elbow dislocation with vein graft and immediate reconstruction of ligamentous injuries results in good long-term functional outcome.

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