Trans-axillary first rib excision for thoracic outlet syndrome

AIM: Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a clinical diagnosis treatable by excision of the first rib. This study was undertaken to assess the alleviation of symptoms following trans-axillary rib excision in patients with a diagnosis of TOS suggested by a positive Elevated Arm Stress Test and, by inference, to estimate the prevalence of the syndrome. METHOD: A retrospective review of trans-axillary first rib excision was performed. No referrals were accepted from outwith the catchment area of our hospital. Post-operative symptomatic improvement was accepted as a confirmation of correct pre-operative diagnosis. RESULTS: Over six years, 52 rib resections were performed in 46 patients, mean age (+/- S.D.) 38.8 (+/- 10.6) years. The indications for surgery were principally neurological symptoms (n = 42 excisions), arterial compromise (n = 5) and venous compromise (n = 5). Symptoms had been present for a mean of 15.8 months prior to surgery. The median follow-up after surgery was 33 months. 42 patients (48 resections) showed immediate improvement in symptoms following surgery, although symptoms recurred in three patients (4 resections) between 6 and 8 months post-operatively. In the final two years of this study, 20 resections resulting in symptomatic improvement were performed, suggesting a prevalence for TOS of at least 10 per 100,000 per year. CONCLUSIONS: Thoracic outlet decompression was performed more frequently in this series than many previous reports, suggesting that TOS may be under-diagnosed.     

Supraclavicular resection of the first rib for thoracic outlet syndrome

The experience with supraclavicular transcervical first rib resection (or cervical rib resection) and total scalenotomy reported herein shows this to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with the thoracic outlet syndrome. We recommend this method as a satisfactory anatomic approach for the correction of this condition. Its advantages are as follows: anatomic structures may be visualized fully by both the surgeon and the assistant; complex or recurrent thoracic outlet problems may be dealt with directly; additional procedures (such as vascular graft, neurolysis, neck exploration, sympathectomy and cervical rib resection) may be performed; the procedure can be done in 90 minutes or less; neither the patient nor the assistant is obliged to assume an awkward or strained position and consequently the likelihood of intraoperative iatrogenic injury is reduced; and neither the period of hospitalization nor the period of immobility is longer than with the other operative techniques currently used for this condition.     

770 Consecutive supraclavicular first rib resections for thoracic outlet syndrome

During a 28-year period, 637 patients underwent 770 supraclavicular first rib resections and scalenectomies for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The neurologic type of TOS was found in 705 cases (92%) and the remaining 65 cases (8%) had the vascular form of TOS. Of those extremities with brachial plexus irritation, the symptom complex consisted of paresthesia in 30 (4%), pain in 221 (31%), and pain with paresthesia in 454 (64%). In the cases of vascular TOS, 47 limbs (6%) had venous complications and 18 limbs (2%) had arterial sequelae. Following supraclavicular scalenectomy and rib resection, an excellent response was achieved in 59% (455 cases) and a good result was achieved in another 27% (206 cases). A fair outcome was present in 13% (95 cases) and a poor result was found in only 1% (13 cases). There was a single occurrence of lymphatic leakage and no brachial plexus injuries resulted. Postoperative causalgia requiring subsequent sympathectomy developed in two cases. No vascular or permanent phrenic nerve injuries occurred and only 12 patients (2%) required operative intervention for recurrent TOS. First rib resection and scalenectomy can be performed by the supraclavicular route with an acceptable outcome, minimal morbidity, and long-lasting results.     

Transaxillary approach first rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome]

From 1981 to 1991, 26 patients with thoracic outlet syndrome were treated by transaxillary first rib resection. Investigation of its indications, modes and results showed that this is one of the ideal methods of treatment for thoracic outlet syndrome.     

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome

Current concepts for the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome are presented together with the surgical experience and results in series of 51 patients caused by a cervical rib. Surgical treatment is recommended in patients with persistent and disabling symptoms not responding to conservative therapy. In carefully selected patients good to excellent results can be achieved.     

经腋路内窥镜辅助下切除第一肋骨治疗胸廓出口综合征

目的 报告内窥镜辅助下手术治疗下干型胸廓出口综合征的方法及临床疗效.方法 采用内窥镜辅助下经腋路第一肋骨切除术治疗下干型胸廓出口综合征14例.结果 术后随访时间为12～24个月,14例患者症状完全解除,未见复发.4例第一骨间背侧肌萎缩者,有2例完全恢复,2例部分恢复.按照Wood等提出的评价标准评定:优11例(占78.6%).良3例(占21.4%).结论 经腋路内窥镜辅助下切除第一肋骨治疗下干型胸廓出口综合征,手术创伤小.伤口隐蔽,减压彻底,疗效满意.     

Long term outcome after resection of the first rib for thoracic outlet syndrome

A total of 112 first ribs in 103 patients were resected over 11 years for thoracic outlet syndrome. Seventy-seven patients (84 operations) were followed up for 2.5 years or more to assess the long term results of this procedure and the factors affecting them. One month after surgery 52 per cent of limbs were asymptomatic and 77 per cent were at least improved. A follow-up examination was performed, on average 6.1 years after the operation, by two independent examiners. This evaluation showed a permanent success rate of 37 per cent among 84 limbs examined. These long term results compare unfavourably with previously published data. The reason for the poor final outcome seemed to be difficulty in selecting patients for the operation. This was not aided by any of the preoperative tests. Patients in this study were evaluated by independent examiners, and only a total absence of preceding symptoms was accepted as the criterion for success. We emphasize the importance of unbiased evaluation and long term follow-up.     

Supraclavicular approach for thoracic outlet decompression

Supraclavicular decompression of the thoracic outlet was performed in 40 patients with symptoms arising from brachial plexus compression were irritation. Both osseous and soft tissue structures responsible for this nerve compression were identified and removed without significant neurologic morbidity despite a 25% incidence of secondary operative procedures in this series. The cure or improvement rate matched what we previously reported for combined transaxillary and supraclavicular approach. Further follow-up will allow a determination of the durability of this technique, which, if acceptable, will justify a confident recommendation for its adoption in patients having thoracic outlet decompression.     

Surgical decompression for thoracic outlet syndrome

Fifty consecutive surgical decompression operations for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) were performed in 43 patients over a 7-year period. Of these, 54% presented with neurological symptoms alone; the others complained of symptoms of vascular or combined origin. Operations for decompression consisted of excisions of 14 cervical ribs, 22 first ribs, and 14 soft tissue or fibrous bands. In six limbs, cervical sympathectomy was also performed for patients who had secondary Raynaud's phenomenon. Surgery resulted in complete relief of symptoms in 37 limbs (74%) and an improvement was achieved in another 10 (20%). In three limbs (6%) surgery gave no benefit. There was no mortality. Thoracic outlet decompression via the supraclavicular approach gave good results in 94% of the patients.     

Continuing experience with transaxillary excision of the first rib for thoracic outlet syndrome.

The results of transaxillary excision of the first rib for thoracic outlet syndrome are reported. During a 3-year period, 40 transaxillary rib resections were performed on 32 patients. The symptoms in 33 limbs were completely relieved and in a further four symptoms were improved. These results confirm that transaxillary excision of the first rib is the operation of choice in the management of thoracic outlet syndrome.