MAJOR ARTERIAL INJURY IN CLOSED FRACTURE
OF THE NECK OF THE HUMERUS
Report of a Case
E. H. J. SMYTH, RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLAND
A woman aged eighty-six fell in her home sustaining a closed fracture of the neck of the
left humerus. Soon after the accident she was seen by her family doctor, who found the whole
forearm to be cold and cyanotic with an absent radial pulse. She was sent to hospital, twenty
miles away, where on arrival she had signs of complete loss of arterial circulation in forearm,
wrist and hand. Radiographs showed a fracture of the neck and great tuberosity of the left
humerus, with moderate displacement (Fig. 1).
At operation five hours after the injury an incision was made along the lower part of the
delto-pectoral groove, preserving the cephalic vein, and prolonged downwards. The third
part of the axillary and upper part of the brachial artery were exposed. The main trunk of
the axillary artery was acutely kinked and
pulled laterally at the point of origin of
the anterior circumflex artery, which was caught between the fragments of the
humerus. Distal to this point, a segment
of the axillary trunk 25 centimetres in
length was seen to be damaged, and was occluded by thrombus; below this point
the brachial artery was greatly narrowed
by spasm. The anterior circumflex artery was ligated and divided, with immediate
release of the kink in the axillary trunk.
The axillary artery was opened distal to
the thrombosed segment and the clot
sucked out, with restoration of flow. The
narrowed trunk of the brachial artery was
freed from all surrounding soft structures
and its lumen was perfused with papaverine
solution. Flow was restored well below the
injured area, but despite prolonged attempts,
including injection of saline into the lumen,
the brachial artery spasm remained unrelieved.
The artery and wound were
closed. Figures 2 and 3 show the findings
at operation.
Progress-A line of demarcation appeared
just below the elbow, and the forearm, wrist and hand became gangrenous. The patient’s
general condition remained poor. Twelve days after injury mid-brachial amputation was carried out, after which her condition improved and she made an otherwise good recovery. DISCUSSION Numerous instances of vascular injuries complicating fractures and surgical operations
have appeared in the recent literature. This further case seemed worthy of recording because
Fin. 2 FIG. 3
MAJOR ARTERIAL INJURY IN CLOSED FRACTURE OF THE NECK OF THE HUMERUS 509
H
Operative findings. Figure 2-The initial findings at operation : the anterior circumflex artery had been trapped
and pulled forward by the fracture: there was a thrombosed segment of the axillary artery and. distally, spasm
of the brachial arterial trunk. Figure 3-After release of the axillary artery, ligation of the anterior circumflex
artery, arteriotomy and the removal of thrombus the spasm persisted in the brachial artery.
of the rarity of severe injury to the axillary artery in closed fractures of the neck of the
humerus. In a series of 220 acute arterial injuries, 10 per cent in association with fractures,
Morris, Beall, Roofand de Bakey (1960) cited no case ofvascular injury with a humeral neck
fracture, nor any injury of the axillary artery. McQuillan and Nolan (1968) described one
case of thrombosis of the axillary artery complicating fracture-dislocation in a woman of
seventy-three, in which the whole area around the artery was found at operation to be a mass of fibrous tissue because ofprevious mastectomy and radiotherapy. Treatment by arteriotomy
and thrombectomy was unsuccessful in relieving the ischaemia.
In this case vascular damage was inflicted at the moment of fracture and its effects were
apparent to the general practitioner shortly afterwards; on arrival at hospital the signs were
those of total ischaemia. Two distinct factors were responsible for occluding the artery:
thrombosis from contusion, and spasm from kinking and distortion from the pull of the
displaced anterior circumflex artery. Some of these factors were countered by anterior
circumflex artery ligation combined with arteriotomy and removal of clot, but distal spasm
remained unrelieved despite restoration of a pulsating flow below the contused segment and
repeated instillation of papaverine and saline into the lumen.
All authorities agree that exploration of the damaged vessel is indicated as soon as a diagnosis of ischaemia has been made; and that the deep fascia must be split and the arterial
injury dealt with according to circumstances by suture, arteriotomy, endarterectomy or excision
ofthe damaged segment and graft replacement. In our case endarterectomy was not considered
necessary in view ofthe restored distal flow, and it is doubtful ifit would in any case have been
feasible because, according to Stiles (1965), this procedure is only possible when there exists a suitable plane of separation between intima and media, as found in arteriosclerosis or with
longstanding thrombi. Resection-arteriectomy would have been the treatment of choice but was rejected owing to the patient’s age and poor general condition.
Arterial spasm has recently been defined by Nolan (1968) as “ a response to violent
distortion,” a state of affairs vividly illustrated in this case, and also significant in view of the
incidence of spasm in high velocity missile wounds. Although McQuillan and Nolan (1968)
only met with a single instance of definite arterial spasm in their review of thirty-seven cases of traumatic ischaemia, this figure in all probability does not reflect the true incidence. The
condition remains so often unrecognised only because it is not more frequently explored.
Unfortunately there is still no uniformly successful means of relieving it, and authorities differ as to its management. Seddon (1964) advised, in order of priority, incision of the deep fascia,
instillation of2 per cent papaverine, and excision ofthe injured segment initiating the spasm. VOL. 51 B, NO. 3, AUGUST 1969
510 E. H. J. SMYTH He added : “ Let us hope that a completely futile sympathetic block will not have been done.”
Bonney (1963) and others favoured instillation of heparin (1,000 units) into the lumen below
the obstruction, but as Eastcott (1965) emphasised, anticoagulants are of limited value in the
arterial circulation, because arterial thrombi consist of platelets and lymphocytes rather than
fibrin, and in addition the rapid stream is likely to carry them away before they have time
to act. In support ofthis contention Eastcott cited the interesting fact that coronary thrombosis can occur in haemophiliacs. The method of Mustard and Bull (1962), in which the distal
arterial tree is opened up by injecting it with saline, segment by segment between clamps, seems always worthy of trial because of its simplicity.
SUMMARY
A case of injury of the axillary artery complicating a closed fracture of the neck of the
humerus in a woman of eighty-six is reported. Spasm was not relieved despite repeated
instillation of papaverine. Gangrene developed and amputation above the elbow was required. I am greatly indebted to Mr R. C. Cole, Chief Instructor, Department of Naval Illustration, H.M.S. Veri,on,
for the two illustrations in Figures 2 and 3. REFERENCES
BONNEY, G. (1963): Thrombosis of the Femoral Artery Complicating Fracture of the Femur. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 45-B, 344. EAsTcorr. H. H. G. (1965): The Management ofArterial Injuries. JournalofBone andJoint Surgery, 47-B, 394.
MCQUILLAN, W. M., and NOLAN, B. (1968): Ischaemia Complicating Injury. Journalof Bone andfoiizt Surgery,
50-B, 482. MORRIS, G. C., BEALL, A. C., RooF, W. R.. and De BAKEY. M. E. (1960): Surgical Experience with 220 Acute
Arterial Injuries in Civilian Practice. American Journal of Surgery, 99, 775. MUSTARD, W. T., and BULL, C. (1962): A Reliable Method for Relief of Traumatic Vascular Spasm. A,z,zals
ofSurgery, 155, 339.
NOLAN, B. (1968) : Vascular Injuries. Jour,zal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ediizburgh, 13, 72.
SEDDON, Sir H. (1964): Volkmann’s Ischaemia. British Medical Journal, i, 1587. STILES, P. J. (1965): Closed Injuries of the Iliac Arteries. Journal of Bone and Joiizt Surgery, 47-B, 507
MAJOR ARTERIAL INJURY IN CLOSED FRACTUREOF THE NECK OF THE HUMERUSReport of a CaseE. H. J. SMYTH, RYDE, ISLE OF WIGHT, ENGLANDA woman aged eighty-six fell in her home sustaining a closed fracture of the neck of theleft humerus. Soon after the accident she was seen by her family doctor, who found the wholeforearm to be cold and cyanotic with an absent radial pulse. She was sent to hospital, twentymiles away, where on arrival she had signs of complete loss of arterial circulation in forearm,wrist and hand. Radiographs showed a fracture of the neck and great tuberosity of the lefthumerus, with moderate displacement (Fig. 1).At operation five hours after the injury an incision was made along the lower part of thedelto-pectoral groove, preserving the cephalic vein, and prolonged downwards. The thirdpart of the axillary and upper part of the brachial artery were exposed. The main trunk ofthe axillary artery was acutely kinked andpulled laterally at the point of origin ofthe anterior circumflex artery, which was caught between the fragments of thehumerus. Distal to this point, a segmentof the axillary trunk 25 centimetres inlength was seen to be damaged, and was occluded by thrombus; below this pointthe brachial artery was greatly narrowedby spasm. The anterior circumflex artery was ligated and divided, with immediaterelease of the kink in the axillary trunk.The axillary artery was opened distal tothe thrombosed segment and the clotsucked out, with restoration of flow. Thenarrowed trunk of the brachial artery wasfreed from all surrounding soft structuresand its lumen was perfused with papaverinesolution. Flow was restored well below theinjured area, but despite prolonged attempts,including injection of saline into the lumen,the brachial artery spasm remained unrelieved.The artery and wound wereclosed. Figures 2 and 3 show the findingsat operation.Progress-A line of demarcation appearedjust below the elbow, and the forearm, wrist and hand became gangrenous. The patient’sgeneral condition remained poor. Twelve days after injury mid-brachial amputation was carried out, after which her condition improved and she made an otherwise good recovery. DISCUSSION Numerous instances of vascular injuries complicating fractures and surgical operationshave appeared in the recent literature. This further case seemed worthy of recording becauseFin. 2 FIG. 3MAJOR ARTERIAL INJURY IN CLOSED FRACTURE OF THE NECK OF THE HUMERUS 509HOperative findings. Figure 2-The initial findings at operation : the anterior circumflex artery had been trappedand pulled forward by the fracture: there was a thrombosed segment of the axillary artery and. distally, spasmof the brachial arterial trunk. Figure 3-After release of the axillary artery, ligation of the anterior circumflexartery, arteriotomy and the removal of thrombus the spasm persisted in the brachial artery.of the rarity of severe injury to the axillary artery in closed fractures of the neck of thehumerus. In a series of 220 acute arterial injuries, 10 per cent in association with fractures,Morris, Beall, Roofand de Bakey (1960) cited no case ofvascular injury with a humeral neckfracture, nor any injury of the axillary artery. McQuillan and Nolan (1968) described onecase of thrombosis of the axillary artery complicating fracture-dislocation in a woman ofseventy-three, in which the whole area around the artery was found at operation to be a mass of fibrous tissue because ofprevious mastectomy and radiotherapy. Treatment by arteriotomyand thrombectomy was unsuccessful in relieving the ischaemia.In this case vascular damage was inflicted at the moment of fracture and its effects wereapparent to the general practitioner shortly afterwards; on arrival at hospital the signs werethose of total ischaemia. Two distinct factors were responsible for occluding the artery:thrombosis from contusion, and spasm from kinking and distortion from the pull of thedisplaced anterior circumflex artery. Some of these factors were countered by anteriorcircumflex artery ligation combined with arteriotomy and removal of clot, but distal spasmremained unrelieved despite restoration of a pulsating flow below the contused segment andrepeated instillation of papaverine and saline into the lumen.All authorities agree that exploration of the damaged vessel is indicated as soon as a diagnosis of ischaemia has been made; and that the deep fascia must be split and the arterialinjury dealt with according to circumstances by suture, arteriotomy, endarterectomy or excisionofthe damaged segment and graft replacement. In our case endarterectomy was not considerednecessary in view ofthe restored distal flow, and it is doubtful ifit would in any case have beenfeasible because, according to Stiles (1965), this procedure is only possible when there exists a suitable plane of separation between intima and media, as found in arteriosclerosis or withlongstanding thrombi. Resection-arteriectomy would have been the treatment of choice but was rejected owing to the patient’s age and poor general condition.Arterial spasm has recently been defined by Nolan (1968) as “ a response to violentdistortion,” a state of affairs vividly illustrated in this case, and also significant in view of theincidence of spasm in high velocity missile wounds. Although McQuillan and Nolan (1968)only met with a single instance of definite arterial spasm in their review of thirty-seven cases of traumatic ischaemia, this figure in all probability does not reflect the true incidence. Thecondition remains so often unrecognised only because it is not more frequently explored.Unfortunately there is still no uniformly successful means of relieving it, and authorities differ as to its management. Seddon (1964) advised, in order of priority, incision of the deep fascia,instillation of2 per cent papaverine, and excision ofthe injured segment initiating the spasm. VOL. 51 B, NO. 3, AUGUST 1969510 E. H. J. SMYTH He added : “ Let us hope that a completely futile sympathetic block will not have been done.”Bonney (1963) and others favoured instillation of heparin (1,000 units) into the lumen belowthe obstruction, but as Eastcott (1965) emphasised, anticoagulants are of limited value in thearterial circulation, because arterial thrombi consist of platelets and lymphocytes rather thanfibrin, and in addition the rapid stream is likely to carry them away before they have timeto act. In support ofthis contention Eastcott cited the interesting fact that coronary thrombosis can occur in haemophiliacs. The method of Mustard and Bull (1962), in which the distalarterial tree is opened up by injecting it with saline, segment by segment between clamps, seems always worthy of trial because of its simplicity.SUMMARYA case of injury of the axillary artery complicating a closed fracture of the neck of thehumerus in a woman of eighty-six is reported. Spasm was not relieved despite repeatedinstillation of papaverine. Gangrene developed and amputation above the elbow was required. I am greatly indebted to Mr R. C. Cole, Chief Instructor, Department of Naval Illustration, H.M.S. Veri,on,for the two illustrations in Figures 2 and 3. REFERENCESBONNEY, G. (1963): Thrombosis of the Femoral Artery Complicating Fracture of the Femur. Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 45-B, 344. EAsTcorr. H. H. G. (1965): The Management ofArterial Injuries. JournalofBone andJoint Surgery, 47-B, 394.MCQUILLAN, W. M., and NOLAN, B. (1968): Ischaemia Complicating Injury. Journalof Bone andfoiizt Surgery,
50-B, 482. MORRIS, G. C., BEALL, A. C., RooF, W. R.. and De BAKEY. M. E. (1960): Surgical Experience with 220 Acute
Arterial Injuries in Civilian Practice. American Journal of Surgery, 99, 775. MUSTARD, W. T., and BULL, C. (1962): A Reliable Method for Relief of Traumatic Vascular Spasm. A,z,zals
ofSurgery, 155, 339.
NOLAN, B. (1968) : Vascular Injuries. Jour,zal of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ediizburgh, 13, 72.
SEDDON, Sir H. (1964): Volkmann’s Ischaemia. British Medical Journal, i, 1587. STILES, P. J. (1965): Closed Injuries of the Iliac Arteries. Journal of Bone and Joiizt Surgery, 47-B, 507
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