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Updated: Mar 9, 2026

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
Axillary artery transection and bilateral pulmonary embolism after anterior shoulder dislocation: case report
Betty Leclerc1, François Loisel2, Maxime Ferrier2
1Vascular Surgery Unit, University Hospital of Besançon, 25030 Besançon, France.
Introduction:
Anterior shoulder dislocation can be associated with vascular and neurological complications. However, axillary artery injury associated with shoulder dislocation is rare and extremely rare without bone fracture. An early diagnosis of these complications allows predicting long-term functional outcomes.
Methods:
This article reports the case of a 66-year-old patient who presented an anterior shoulder dislocation after a ski fall without any neurological dysfunction or pulse deficit.
Results:
The first reduction attempts were unsuccessful and during the new attempt, we observed a hematoma. A CT scan showed a disruption of the axillary artery and a bilateral pulmonary embolism.
Conclusion:
Neurovascular injury must be systematically sought before and after reduction, and a multidisciplinary approach is always necessary.
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