Surgical management of thoracic outlet compression syndrome

ABSTRACT

Thirty patients suffering from thoracic outlet compression syndrome [TOCS] were treated over 15 years [1982-2002] in King Fahad Hospital of the University, Al-Khohbar, Saudi Arabia. The presenting symptoms included pain [86.6%], paresthesia [30%], and weakness [10%]. Thirteen patients underwent surgical intervention; 7 females and 6 males. Group I, 9 patients operated through transaxillary and Group II, 4 operated through five supraclavicular approaches. Group I showed excellent result in 8 patients [88.9%]. In Group II, 2 patients had excellent outcome and 2 with three operations had poor outcome. The follow-up period was at least one year. Our results showed transaxillary approach is effective for relief of pain in TOCS. It is concluded that our experience over 15 years had shown that transaxillary approach is an effective method for the treatment of TOCS in neurogenic type and those with minimal vascular compression that do not need direct surgical intervention