Video-assisted thoracic surgery repair of subclavian artery injury following central venous catheterization: A new approach

Abstract

OBJECTIVESIatrogenic subclavian artery puncture following central venous catheterization is a rare but potentially fatal complication. There are very few reports in the literature on this condition. We propose the use of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in the management of these injuries.METHODSThe technique of VATS to manage subclavian artery injury was described. We presented the first reported case of successful repair of subclavian artery injury using VATS.RESULTSUsing a two-incisional approach for VATS, the haemothorax was rapidly evacuated and the subclavian artery injury was successfully repaired using pledgetted sutures under direct thoracoscopic visualization. The patient had an uneventful postoperative recovery. CONCLUSIONSVATS can be successfully applied to repair subclavian artery injury. The advantages include rapid intrathoracic access, excellent thoracoscopic visualization of the thoracic inlet, and avoidance of the morbidity associated with open thoracotomy. © 2013 The Author. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery. All rights reserved.