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Vascular Lesions at the Elbow and Compartmental Syndrome

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The Elbow

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Abstract

Although elbow dislocations are common orthopaedic lesions, vascular complications remain rare. The incidence of vascular complications is more frequently associated with supracondylar fracture. Controversy surrounds the management of children with a “pink pulseless hand” following postfracture reduction; different treatment options have been suggested including clinical observation or surgical treatment. It is important to recognize the different types of injury pattern and comply with current treatment guidelines. The compartmental syndrome is a consequence of an untreated vascular injury, and its early identification and treatment decreases the incidence of complications improving the clinical outcomes. Well-timed fasciotomy is also mandatory to prevent the onset of muscular ischaemia leading to necrosis and ischaemic contracture.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hand and Microsurgery Department, University Hospital of Modena, Policlinico, Largo del Pozzo 71, Modena, Italy

    Roberto Adani

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia Surgery, Modena, Italy

    Raffaele Mugnai & Luigi Tarallo

Authors
  1. Roberto Adani
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  2. Raffaele Mugnai
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  3. Luigi Tarallo
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Correspondence to Roberto Adani .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Policlinico di Modena, Shoulder and Elbow Unit, D. Cervesi Hospital, Cattolica, Italy

    Giuseppe Porcellini

  2. Rizzoli Institute, Bologna, Italy

    Roberto Rotini

  3. Terme di San Petronio - Antalgik, Bologna, Physiomedica, Faenza, Italy

    Susanna Stignani Kantar

  4. Shoulder Team, ForlìCio - Collegio Italiano Osteopatia, Parma, Italy

    Silvia Di Giacomo

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Adani, R., Mugnai, R., Tarallo, L. (2018). Vascular Lesions at the Elbow and Compartmental Syndrome. In: Porcellini, G., Rotini, R., Stignani Kantar, S., Di Giacomo, S. (eds) The Elbow. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27805-6_24

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-27805-6_24

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

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  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-27805-6

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