title: Video-assisted thoracic surgery repair of subclavian artery injury following central venous catheterization: a new approach.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Iatrogenic 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.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 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.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Using 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.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  VATS 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore. surjtkc@nus.edu.sg
authors.forename: John Kit Chung
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: Asmat
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Atasha
authors.forename: Ann Kheng
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002405:Catheterization, Central Venous / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D007049:Iatrogenic Disease; D008297:Male; D013348:Subclavian Artery / Q000293:injuries / Q000601:surgery*; D013536:Suture Techniques; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D057772:Vascular System Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*
keywords: Central venous catheter; Subclavian artery injury; Video-assisted thoracic surgery