[Extra-anatomic bypass in injuries of the subclavian artery].

11 cases of subclavian vessel injuries are reported. The problems of operative approach are discussed. Two out of 11 cases have been operated on by extraanatomical bypass from the common carotid artery to the subclavian or axillary artery. There resulted no problems by temporarily clamping the common carotid artery, no postoperative carotid steal syndrome was seen. In our opinion carotid-subclavian bypass - well known as standard procedure in chronical disease of the proximal subclavian artery - can also be applied in case of acute trauma of the subclavian artery. Thus the direct riskfull approach for these often polytraumatized patients can be avoided.