RETROESOPHAGEAL SUBCLAVIAN ARTERIES: SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF SYMPTOMATIC CHILDREN

Aberrant subclavian arteries, which form a type of vascular ring, elicit symptoms of dysphagia and chronic respiratory problems. Simple division of the encircling vessel has been the accepted treatment but has frequently led to various long-term complications. These include ischemia of the arm, which in turn results in claudication and the subclavian-vertebral "steal syndrome." Improved methods of reconstructive vascular surgery allow reestablishment of direct flow to the subclavian artery by means of graft insertion or reimplantation of the aberrant artery. With the use of these newer techniques, vascular continuity has been restored in two young patients.