Cross-over axillary by-pass. Treatment of subclavian or innominate artery obstructive lesions.

A 13-year experience consisting on 16 consecutive patients submitted to axillary-to-contralateral artery by-pass in the treatment of obstructive lesions of the subclavian or innominate artery is reported. Nine patients complained of typical subclavian steal syndrome. Extended patency with very satisfactory functional result was achieved in twelve patients. An extensive survey is made of the results of such procedure, as reported in the literature. The theoretical advantages in comparison with other kinds of extrathoracic procedures aiming at the same goal are briefly outlined.