[The axillo-axillary bypass].

Personal experience with two cases of symptomatic occlusion of the subclavian artery treated with axillo-axillary by-pass is reported. The operating technique, in which the second portion of the axillary artery and a dacron blood conductor are employed, is described and the various transthoracic and extrathoracic operations that have been proposed are reviewed along with the advantages and disadvantages of each. It is concluded that axillo-axillary by-pass is a simple solution for a complex haemodynamic, clinical and therapeutic problem.