Neurovascular injury complicating displaced proximal fractures of the humerus

Three cases with injury of the axillary artery and brachial plexus complicating a displaced proximal fracture of the humerus are presented. In two patients the arterial injury was not recognized on admission. Vascular repair had to be carried out in all three cases. Two patients showed a persistent neurological deficit. In two of the cases, the arterial injury may have been caused by an attempt at closed reduction of the fracture. The possibility of axillary arterial injury should be considered in proximal fractures of the humerus with severe medial displacement of the shaft of the humerus.