Background: Subclavian artery aneurysms (SAAs) are uncommon aneurysms.SAA is potentially serious disease due to complications.
Objective: to evaluate the surgical treatment of SAAs and its complications.
Methods: Fifteen patients with SAAs: 13 patients (86.67%) had extrathoracic (ET) aneurysms and two patients (13.33%) had intrathoracic (IT) aneurysms. Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) was presented in 8 patients (53.33%), while, atherosclerosis was presented in 7patients (46.67%). Laboratory & radiological studies were done. All patients were treated surgically.
Results: In 13 patients with extrathoracic aneurysms, a supraclavicular approach to the subclavian artery was used in (6/13, 46.15%), supraclavicular and infraclavicular approach was used in (7/13, 53.85%) cases. After excision of the aneurysm, graft interposition using (PTFE) and saphenous vein graft bypass were done in (6/13, 46.15% & 5/13 , 38.46 %) patients respectively. In two patients (2/13, 15.38 %), aneurysmal excision and end to end anastomosis were done. While in two patients with intrathoracic aneurysms, a combined left thoracotomy and supraclavicular approach was used. Common carotid-subclavian bypass using Dacron graft was done. In (6/8, 75 %) of patients with TOS, decompression was performed before arterial reconstruction. In three (37.50 %) patients with cervical rib, the cervical rib was resected. In three patients (37.50 %) with scalene syndrome, scalenectomy of the scalenus anterior muscle was done. In two patients (2/8, 25 %) with brachial artery embolism, embolectomy was done.
Conclusions: Early intervention was needed, especially in distal SAAs, because of the risk of thrombo-embolic complications. Open repair is sill the gold standard intervention for SAA.