Fracturas de húmero complicadas con lesión arterial

A serie of 10 patients with a fracture of the humerus and associated arterial injury treated from January 1990 to October 1993 is reported. The serie was divided in 3 groups acording the proximal, mid shaft or supracondylar location of the fracture. Clinical results indicate a poor prognosis of proximal and mid shaft fractures related to their etiology, associated injuries and damage of the colateral vessels. The management of these complex injuries require an interdisciplinar approach. External fixation is an usefull stabilitation method for fractures associated with vascular damage. The utility of a temporary intraluminar vascular shunt to perfuse the limb at the bone surgery and preoperative arteriography are discussed.