Iatrogenic Symptomatic Chest Wall Hematoma After Shoulder Arthroplasty

Total shoulder arthroplasty is considered to be a safe procedure with a low complication rate. Cofield et al.1 reviewed the literature and reported that the overall complication rate for this procedure was 10.4% (123 of 1183). Associated complications that have been reported include infection, nerve damage, arterial injury, fracture, instability, and long-term loosening of the implant2-5. The rate of bleeding or hematoma formation after total shoulder arthroplasty has been reported as 0.17% (two of 1183)1, 2.78% (one of thirty-six)1,6, and 3.3% (five of 152)7. Most reviews of total shoulder arthroplasty have not listed bleeding as a complication of the procedure8-12.