Extraanatomical reconstruction for bilateral intrathoracic subclavian artery aneurysms

Successful extraanatomical repair of bilateral intrathoracic arteriosclerotic subclavian artery aneurysms is reported. Rupture of the left subclavian aneurysm required emergency thoracotomy for proximal and distal ligation. The right subclavian aneurysm was repaired electively. Because of constraints resulting from the arterial anatomy (origin of aneurysm at innominate artery bifurcation), prior operation (coronary artery bypass grafting and repair of aneurysm of the sinus of Valsalva), and the patient's occupation (young, employed craftsman with dominant right hand), an extraanatomical reconstruction was devised to exclude the aneurysm and revascularize the head and arm. The reconstruction consisted of an external ilioaxillary Gore-Tex bypass graft in conjunction with an end-to-end distal subclavian to distal common carotid Gore-Tex graft. This is believed to represent the first reported successful repair of bilateral intrathoracic arteriosclerotic subclavian aneurysms, and the first application of this extraanatomical reconstruction.