1 Mar 2012Case Report
Brachial thrombosis in a premature neonate A case report
Alessia Giaquinta 1Massimiliano Veroux 1Carla Veroux 1
Affiliations
Article Info
1 Vascular Surgery and Organ Transplant Unit, Department of Surgery, Transplantation and Advanced technologies, University Hospital of Catania, Catania, Italy.
Ann. Ital. Chir., 2012, 83(2), 149-152;
Published: 1 Mar 2012
Copyright © 2012 Annali Italiani di Chirurgia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
Arterial injuries in infants are rare and in most cases are of iatrogenic origin as a consequence of catheterization, venipuncture or arterial blood sampling. These lesions require an accurate, noninvasive clinical diagnosis and prompt exploration and reconstruction using microvascular techniques to restore perfusion and to avoid morbidity and even mortality. We present a 3-day-old infant with a brachial artery thrombosis by a white thrombus as a consequence of an unsuccessful attempt to introduce an intravascular catheter. A microvascular reconstruction was performed, with complete restoration of the blood flow. Any suspected vascular injury needs immediate clinical and diagnostic assessment in order to avoid potential life-threatening complications. Surgery is mandatory in case of extensive arterial injuries, in case of inadequate distal blood supply or in case of progressive worsening of ischemic clinical findings.
Keywords
- Arterial injury
- Arterial thrombosis
- Brachial artery
- Iatrogenic injuries
- Infant
- White thrombus