Demetriades D, Asensio J A
Trauma and Surgical Intensive Care Unit, University of Southern California and the Los Angeles County and University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, USA.
Surg Clin North Am. 2001 Dec;81(6):1357-73, xiii. doi: 10.1016/s0039-6109(01)80012-8.
Injuries to the subclavian or axillary vessels are associated with a high mortality rate and only patients with short prehospital periods or contained bleeding survive long enough to be treated. The surgical exposure of these vessels can be difficult and excellent knowledge of the local anatomy is critical. This article describes the anatomy, epidemiology, diagnosis, and surgical exposure of these injuries. Newer diagnostic and therapeutic modalities are discussed also.