Pulmonary embolism after operative treatment of proximal humeral fractures

Thromboembolic Events Are Uncommon After Open Treatment of Proximal Humerus Fractures Using Aspirin and Compression Devices

“…Our 0% incidence of PE is comparable to the 2% rate after shoulder arthroplasty reported by Willis et al [20] and the 0.173% rate reported by Sperling and Cofield [17]. Additionally, our PE rate compares favorably with the previously published PE rate of 5.1% after operative treatment of proximal humerus fractures [7]. Unfortunately, that retrospective report did not address DVT.…”

“…One retrospective study reported a rate of CT-confirmed, symptomatic PE after surgery for proximal humerus fractures of 5.1% [7]. Currently, objective clinical guidelines to help assess and manage DVT and PE risk after fixation of proximal humerus fractures do not exist.…”

Pulmonary Embolism after Screw Fixation for a Greater Tubercle Fracture of Humerus

“…1,2) Jameson et al 2) reported overall DVT and pulmonary embolism rates after proximal humeral fracture surgery of 0.19% and 0.40%, respectively, and the rate of pulmonary embolism after hemiarthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture was higher than after open reduction-internal fixation (0.52% vs. 0.31%, respectively). Hoxie et al 1) reported an overall incidence of pulmonary embolism among those treated for an isolated proximal fracture of 5.1%, that is, 4 of 37 (10.8%) after humeral head replacement arthropalsty, and 3 of 102 (2.94%) after open reduction-internal fixation. Accordingly, it seems that the arthroplasty for a proximal humeral fracture has higher risk of pulmonary embolism than open reduction-internal fixation.…”

“…It is rare after upper extremity surgery. The majority of reported cases of pulmonary embolism after upper extremity surgery have occurred in patients after shoulder arthroplasty, [1][2][3][4] shoulder arthroscopic surgery, 2,5-7) but their incidence rates are very low. Rarely, single cases of pulmonary embolism after open glenohumeral joint debridement, subacromial decompression of the shoulder, and surgical treatment of ulnar pseudoarthrosis have been reported.…”

“…Pulmonary embolism after surgery for a proximal humerus fracture has been also reported, but these procedures involved hemiarthroplasty or open reduction-internal fixation. 1,2) Pulmonary embolism after minor upper extremity fracture surgery is extremely rare. We experienced a case of a 66-year-old female patient that developed pulmonary embolism after percutaneous cannulated screw fixation for a greater tubercle fracture of the right proximal humerus.…”