[Surgical treatment of traumatic subclavian artery].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the treatment of traumatic subclavian artery.

METHODS

From July 1990 to January 2006, 12 cases of traumatic subclavian artery were treated by using of combined incision of superior-inferior clavian. All patients were male, aging 18-36 years (mean 22.6 years). The locations were section 1 of subclavian artery in 1 case, section 2 in 4 cases and section 3 in 7 cases. All patients had incomplete rupture and defect. Time from injury to operation was 3 hours to 1.5 months. The methods of vascular repair included primary repair, end-to-end anastomosis and artificial vascular prosthesis grafts.

RESULTS

There was no death. Extremities survived in all cases and got good function in 10 cases. All patients were followed up 2 months to 12 years (mean 5 yeras and 2 months). The pulse of radial artery restored to normal in 10 cases and did not be felt in 2 cases. The function of extremities restored to normal in 2 cases with partial injury of brachial plexus nerve and did not improve in 2 cases with complete injury of brachial plexus nerve.

CONCLUSION

The exposure of subclavian artery is difficult because of its particular anatomy region. The repair and reconstruction of subclavian artery should be selected according to the type of vascular injuries. Combined superior-inferior clavian approach can satisfy the exposure and repair for the subclavian artery.