Axillo-axillary bypass for subclavian artery occlusion. Report of a case with impending gangrene of the hand.

A 72-year-old woman with occlusion of the right subclavian artery and impending gangrene of the hand was succssfully treated with a subcutaneous axillo-axillary vein bypass. This method was chosen because of atrophic skin changes due to radiation therapy for breast cancer. The operation may, however, be used in the treatment of atherosclerotic obstructions of the subclavian artery in general and may be particularly advantageous in old and poor risk patients.