Materials and methods: Between 1987 to 1997 15 patients with injuries of the subclavian artery have been operated at our institution. Eleven had been wounded by penetre and 4 by blunt trauma. Patients were divided into three groups. I. Who were hemodynamically stable (6 patients, 40%), II. Those with in preshock with moderate hypotension (5 patients, 33.3%), III. Those in frank shock (4 patients, 26.7%). Preoperative angiography was applied to all patients in group I. In most of them, combined incision (supraclavicilar and infraclavicular approach) was made. Patients in other two groups underwent operation without preoperative angiography. In patients with injury of the right subclavian artery proximal control was obtained by median sternotomy. In three of four patients with injury to incision was used for proximal control. In the last patient proximal control was obtained by posterolateral thoracotomy. Arterial repair were made in 13 patients.

Results: Two patients died during operation and one died in postoperative period. Partial neurologic deficits in upper extremity were persist in two patients.

Conclusion: Injuries to the subclavian artery occurs infrequently but carries high mortality rates. Prompt and percies diagnosis and rapid appropriate intervention are very important.