Carotid-subclavian bypass for occlusion of the subclavian artery

For surgical therapy of stenosis and occlusion of the subclavian artery, se veral types of extrathoracic vascular reconstructions have recently been pe rformed, mainly in the supraclavicular fossa. Carotid-subclavian bypass is becoming a more acceptable surgical procedure than axilloaxillary bypass. W e encountered three patients with these lesions who underwent common caroti d-subclavian bypass with autogenous saphenous vein grafts, Their symptoms w ere completely relieved and pulsation of the radial artery recovered suffic iently. Restoration of inflow from the carotid artery was able to provide a dequate reconstruction of the subclavian lesions. This bypass is less invas ive and is efficient for such lesions in the supraclavicular position.