J Korean Soc Traumatol.  2015 Sep;28(3):219-221. 10.0000/jti.2015.28.3.219.

Traumatic Subclavian Artery Dissection in Clavicle Fracture Due to Blunt Injury: Surgery or Stent in Long Segment Occlusion?

• Chon SH
• Yie K
• Kang JG

• KMID: 2224066
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.0000/jti.2015.28.3.219

Abstract

Subclavian injuries in blunt trauma are reported in less than 1% of all arterial injuries or chest related injuries. We report a female 68 yr-old patient whom has visited our emergency center due to a motorcycle traffic accident with complaints of right chest wall and shoulder pain. Her injury severity score was 22 and she was found with a comminuted clavicle fracture and subclavian artery injury. She developed delayed symptoms of pallor, pain and motor weakness with loss of pulse in her right arm. Attempts at intervention failed and thus, she underwent emergency artificial graft bypass from her subclavian artery to her brachial artery. Her postoperative course was uneventful and she is happy with the results. Although rare, a high index of suspicion for the injury must be noted and the inevitable surgical option must always be considered.

Keyword

Sublavian artery; Clavicle fracture; Bypass graft

MeSH Terms

Accidents, Traffic
Arm
Brachial Artery
Clavicle*
Emergencies
Female
Humans
Injury Severity Score
Motorcycles
Pallor
Shoulder Pain
Stents*
Subclavian Artery*
Thoracic Wall
Thorax
Transplants
Wounds, Nonpenetrating*