title: Upper extremity complications of axillofemoral grafts.
abstract: Four patients sustained five upper extremity complications after axillobifemoral grafting including brachial plexus injuries, axillary artery thrombosis, and arterial steal. To avoid these problems, the following precautions are recommended: (1) proper positioning of the patient to prevent hyperabduction of the shoulder; (2) adequate exposure of the axillary artery during dissection and gentle handling of the nerve trunks; (3) meticulous technic during construction of the proximal anastomosis and avoidance of undue tension on the graft; and (4) careful preoperative assessment of the axillary-subclavian artery as a potential donor vessel.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001011:Aorta / Q000601:surgery; D001157:Arterial Occlusive Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D001366:Axillary Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries; D005263:Femoral Artery / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D007083:Iliac Artery / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D011187:Posture; D013348:Subclavian Artery; D013349:Subclavian Steal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology