Angiography is needed if signs of arterial injury (eg, pallor, pain, cyanosis, soft tissue expansion [possible hematoma]) are present. [msdmanuals.com]

• Swelling

  Nerve injury (median and ulnar nerves) is uncommon and can be due to local swelling, entrapment, or traction during the reduction. [msdmanuals.com]

• Pain

  Angiography is needed if signs of arterial injury (eg, pallor, pain, cyanosis, soft tissue expansion [possible hematoma]) are present. [msdmanuals.com]

• Severe Pain

  If the patient is discharged to home, arrange follow-up care with the orthopedic surgeon and instruct the patient to return if swelling worsens, for progressively increasing severe pain, or if the fingers develop cyanosis, coolness, weakness, or paresthesias [msdmanuals.com]

• Fracture

  Brachial artery injury is uncommon but may occur in the absence of fractures. Nerve injury (median and ulnar nerves) is uncommon and can be due to local swelling, entrapment, or traction during the reduction. [msdmanuals.com]

Conclusion: Favorable clinical outcomes can be achieved after treatment of open elbow dislocations. These injuries are prone to neurovascular damage and complex dislocations are linked to high rates of complications and revision surgeries. [ncbi.nlm.nih.gov]

Open dislocations require surgery, but closed reduction techniques and splinting should be done as interim treatment if the orthopedic surgeon is unavailable and a neurovascular deficit is present. [msdmanuals.com]