Axillary artery injury secondary to proximal humerus fractures: a case report and literature review

Axillary artery injury associated with proximal humerus fractures was rare clinically, which exhibited varying clinical manifestations. In this study, an 80-year-old woman suffered from axillary artery injury secondary to proximal humerus fracture was presented. This case exhibited large ecchymosis in the left upper limb and chest skin. A left 4-part proximal humerus fracture dislocation inferior to the glenoid cavity was observed. After the repairation of axillary artery, hemiarthroplasty was successfully performed. The postoperative recovery of this patient was well, while no long term follow-up data was revealed. Our findings aimed to highlight the risk of axillary artery injury in patients with proximal humerus fractures-dislocations, and review the pathogenesis and treatment decisions.