Treatment of combined subclavian artery and brachial plexus injury / 中华创伤骨科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the treatment of combined subclavian artery and brachial plexus injury. Methods Since 1994, we have treated 5 cases of combined subclavian artery and brachial plexus injury. 2 of them were cut wound, 1 gun shot wound, and 2 blunt trauma. 2 cases had combined aneurysm and 1 had combined aneurysm plus A V fistula. According to the sites of subclavian artery injury, vein graft( 1 case) , suture repair( 1 cases) and ligation (1 case) were performed. The 2 cases of blunt trauma underwent only neurolysis because of masses of hematoma and tissue adhesion. Results The 3 cases of open injury who had underwent early repair of artery and nerve had various degrees of recovery of nerve functions and experienced no pain in the injured extremities. As for the 2 cases of blunt trauma, 1 got only pain relief and 1 had no recovery. Conclusion Dysfunction due to hematoma or progressive pseudoaneurysm compression on the brachial plexus can be relieved and patients can get maximal rehabilitation if hematoma or aneurysm is managed in time and the brachial plexus nerve is decompressed early.