Carotid-subclavian bypass for occlusion of the subclavian artery.

For surgical therapy of stenosis and occlusion of the subclavian artery, several types of extrathoracic vascular reconstructions have recently been performed, mainly in the supraclavicular fossa. Carotid-subclavian bypass is becoming a more acceptable surgical procedure than axilloaxillary bypass. We encountered three patients with these lesions who underwent common carotid-subclavian bypass with autogenous saphenous vein grafts. Their symptoms were completely relieved and pulsation of the radial artery recovered sufficiently. Restoration of inflow from the carotid artery was able to provide adequate reconstruction of the subclavian lesions. This bypass is less invasive and is efficient for such lesions in the supraclavicular position.