Injury to the axillary artery, a complication of fixation using a locking plate

Abstract

The proximal humerus internal locking system is an internal fixation device consisting of a low-profile plate and locking screws, which is used for the fixation of three- and four-part fractures of the proximal humerus. We describe a case in which the screws cut out of the humeral head causing injury to the axillary artery necessitating urgent removal of the implant. ©2007 British Editorial Society of Bone and Joint Surgery.