Prospective Study of the Functional Recovery After Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Abstract

The aim of this study is to evaluate the functional recovery after Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) surgery, by the application of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire. This was a prospective study of all patients operated on for TOS from January 1998 to December 2005. The DASH questionnaire was administered pre- and postoperatively. The scores were analysed according to TOS type, the associated comorbidity and the type of surgery performed. Results were assessed with Wilcoxon Test for continuous variables, and the Fisher Test for categories. Twenty-three consecutive patients were included in the study, the average age was 37 years (range: 22-54). Fourteen patients presented with venous TOS and 9 with neurogenic TOS. Patients with venous TOS had a preoperative score of 14.9 (SD 18.31) and a postoperative score of 14.8 (SD 15.6) (p>0.05). The preoperative score in patients with neurogenic TOS was 53.96 (SD 15.6) and the postoperative score was 17.8 (SD 15.3) (p=0.01). DASH questionnaire is a valid and objective test for evaluating the functional state after TOS surgery. Venous TOS is clinically less incapacitating than neurogenic. Surgically decompression of thoracic outlet leads to significant benefit in patients with neurogenic TOS.