A 30-year-old male sustains a knife wound to the left axilla. He is bleeding profusely and is haemodynamically unstable. After wound packing with haem...

Question

A 30-year-old male sustains a knife wound to the left axilla. He is bleeding profusely and is haemodynamically unstable. After wound packing with haemostatic gauze, the bleeding is controlled. What specific vascular injury pattern should be suspected based on the wound location?

Accepted Answer

Axillary artery and/or vein injury - the axillary vessels are vulnerable in this location and the patient may develop an expanding axillary haematoma

Answer

Thoracic aorta injury from the penetrating wound

Answer

Brachial artery injury - the brachial artery runs through the axilla

Answer

Subclavian artery injury - the subclavian artery is immediately behind the axilla

Answer

Internal mammary artery injury

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Axillary Vascular Injury

A 30-year-old male sustains a knife wound to the left axilla. He is bleeding profusely and is haemodynamically unstable. After wound packing with haemostatic gauze, the bleeding is controlled. What specific vascular injury pattern should be suspected based on the wound location?