Pseudoaneurysm of the axillary artery following a modified Bristow operation: report of a case and review.

The Bristow operation with its modifications has become a popular therapeutic modality for recurrent subluxation of the humerus. A patient was recently treated for a false aneurysm of the axillary artery six months after such a procedure. The artery had been lacerated by the dislodged fixation screw. The clinical presentation, intraoperative management and postoperative course were described, and a suggestion for removing the orthopedic screw eight weeks after a Bristow procedure was offered.