Operations For Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Research Articles

Surgical decompression among Paget-Schroetter patients with subacute and chronic venous occlusion

ObjectiveManagement of Paget-Schroetter syndrome (PSS) with first rib resection (FRR) and venoplasty is successful in re-establishing subclavian vein (SCV) patency in most cases. However, in cases with subacute or chronic venous occlusion, SCV patency may not be achieved. Thus, the role for FRR remains controversial in cases of subacute or chronic SCV occlusion. Our goal is to determine whether FRR is beneficial in PSS patients with subacute or chronic SCV occlusion. MethodsA prospectively maintained thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) database was searched for patients undergoing FRR who were identified as having SCV occlusion on preoperative venography between 2012 and 2021. Preoperative and postoperative venous patency were determined by venography. Standardized functional outcomes were assessed using the Quick Disability Arm, Shoulder, Hand (QuickDASH—QDS) and Somatic Pain Scale (SPS) before and after FRR. The Derkash outcome score was recorded after FRR. ResultsOver the study period, 966 TOS operations were performed; of these, 401 were for venous TOS, and 33 patients were identified with subacute or chronic preoperative SCV occlusion verified by venography. The median age was 29 years, with 73% men. Eighteen patients had attempted thrombolysis; eight were performed at our institution, and ten performed at a referring facility. The median time from the symptom onset of SCV occlusion to FRR was 78 days for all patients. For the group that achieved venous patency after FRR, the time from SCV occlusion to FRR was 71 days, and it was 106 days for the group that remained occluded after FRR. All underwent postoperative venography and percutaneous attempt at SCV recanalization. Recanalization was successful in 64% (21) and unsuccessful in 36% (12). All patients experienced improvement in SPS and QDS. For all patients, the average SPS improved from 1.69 preoperatively to 0.25 postoperatively and the average QDS improved from 27.63 preoperatively to 10.19 postoperatively (P > .05). For patients who were successfully recanalized, the final SPS was 0.18 and the final QDS was 11.22 (P > .05). In patients who failed to achieve recanalization, the final SPS was 0.40 and the final QDS was 9.06 (P > .05). All postoperative Derkash outcome scores were excellent and good, with none fair or poor. ConclusionsIn patients with subacute or chronic preoperative SCV occlusion, surgical decompression and postoperative angioplasty resulted in re-establishing SCV patency in 64% of patients. Symptomatic patients clinically improve after surgical decompression regardless of whether venous patency is successfully re-established. These results indicate that symptomatic patients with PSS should be considered for TOS decompression even if their SCV is occluded in the subacute or chronic presentation.

Contemporary Practices and Complications of Surgery for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome in the United States

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) surgery is relatively rare and controversial, given the challenges in diagnosis as well as wide variation in symptomatic and functional recovery. Our aims were to measure trends in utilization of TOS surgery, complications, and mortality rates in a nationally representative cohort and compare higher versus lower volume centers. The National Inpatient Sample was queried using International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, codes for rib resection and scalenectomy paired with axillo-subclavian aneurysm (arterial [aTOS]), subclavian deep vein thrombosis (venous [vTOS]), or brachial plexus lesions (neurogenic [nTOS]). Basic descriptive statistics, nonparametric tests for trend, and multivariable hierarchical regression models with random intercept for center were used to compare outcomes for TOS types, trends over time, and higher and lower volume hospitals, respectively. There were 3,547 TOS operations (for an estimated 18,210 TOS operations nationally) performed between 2010 and 2015 (89.2% nTOS, 9.9% vTOS, and 0.9% aTOS) with annual case volume increasing significantly over time (P=0.03). Higher volume centers (≥10 cases per year) represented 5.2% of hospitals and 37.0% of cases, and these centers achieved significantly lower overall major complication (defined as neurologic injury, arterial or venous injury, vascular graft complication, pneumothorax, hemorrhage/hematoma, or lymphatic leak) rates (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 0.71 [95% confidence interval 0.52-0.98]; P=0.04], but no difference in neurologic complications such as brachial plexus injury (aOR 0.69 [0.20-2.43]; P=0.56) or vascular injuries/graft complications (aOR 0.71 [0.0.33-1.54]; P=0.39). Overall mortality was 0.6%, neurologic injury was rare (0.3%), and the proportion of patients experiencing complications decreased over time (P=0.03). However, vTOS and aTOS had >2.5 times the odds of major complication compared with nTOS (OR 2.68 [1.88-3.82] and aOR 4.26 [1.78-10.17]; P<0.001), and ∼10 times the odds of a vascular complication (aOR 10.37 [5.33-20.19] and aOR 12.93 [3.54-47.37]; P<0.001], respectively. As the number of complications decreased, average hospital charges also significantly decreased over time (P<0.001). Total hospital charges were on average higher when surgery was performed in lower volume centers (<10 cases per year) compared with higher volume centers (mean $65,634 [standard deviation 98,796] vs. $45,850 [59,285]; P<0.001). The annual number of TOS operations has increased in the United States from 2010 to 2015, whereas complications and average hospital charges have decreased. Mortality and neurologic injury remain rare. Higher volume centers delivered higher value care: less or similar operative morbidity with lower total hospital charges.

Five Hundred Rib-Sparing Scalenectomies for the Treatment of Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is no longer either controversial or disputed, but its optimal surgical management remains unclear. Most thoracic outlet decompression procedures are carried out by first rib resection, usually through a transaxillary route. A retrospective review was conducted of a prospectively maintained TOS database. Patients with neurogenic TOS associated with a cervical rib were excluded from analysis, as were patients with recurrent neurogenic TOS. All study patients satisfied a 5-point clinical diagnostic protocol and experienced a positive response to a local anesthetic scalene block. Surgical decompression included anterior, minimus, and middle scalenectomy and brachial plexus neurolysis by a supraclavicular incision and pectoralis minor tenotomy through a small vertical infraclavicular incision. No first ribs were excised. All patients completed a shortened Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand questionnaire (QuickDASH) preoperatively and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively; operative success was defined as 50% improvement of 6-month postoperative vs preoperative QuickDASH scores. Between 2011 and 2019, there were 500 consecutive thoracic outlet decompression procedures carried out in 448 patients. Average operative time was 1.15 hours, and hospital length of stay was 1.05 days. Major complications (serious bleeding, permanent nerve injury, infection) occurred in seven patients (1.3%). All but two (99.6%) patients improved symptomatically; using the more rigorous definition of operative success noted before, 452 (90.9%) rib-sparing neurogenic TOS operations were successful. These results suggest that adherence to a rigorous preoperative diagnostic regimen, including scalene block, ensures, at the least, that operation for neurogenic TOS can successfully be restricted to patients actually suffering from the condition; fibrotic, contracted scalene muscles are the cause of neurogenic TOS; the first rib need not be removed for successful surgical treatment of neurogenic TOS; and >90% of patients so treated can expect significant medium-term symptomatic and functional improvement.

Long-Term Functional Outcome of Surgical Treatment for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

First rib resection for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is clinically successful and safe in most patients. However, long-term functional outcomes are still insufficiently known. Long-term functional outcome was assessed using a validated questionnaire. A multicenter retrospective cohort study including all patients who underwent operations for TOS from January 2005 until December 2016. Clinical records were reviewed and the long-term functional outcome was assessed by the 11-item version of the Disability of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH) questionnaire. Sixty-two cases of TOS in 56 patients were analyzed: 36 neurogenic TOS, 13 arterial TOS, 7 venous TOS, and 6 combined TOS. There was no 30-day mortality. One reoperation because of bleeding was performed and five patients developed a pneumothorax. Survey response was 73% (n = 41) with a follow-up ranging from 1 to 11 years. Complete relief of symptoms was reported postoperatively in 27 patients (54%), symptoms improved in 90%, and the mean QuickDASH score was 22 (range, 0–86). Long-term functional outcome of surgical treatment of TOS was satisfactory, and surgery was beneficial in 90% of patients, with a low risk of severe morbidity. However, the mean QuickDASH scores remain higher compared with the general population, suggesting some sustained functional impairment despite clinical improvement of symptoms.

Evaluation of Complications after Surgical Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

BackgroundSurgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is necessary when non-surgical treatments fail. Complications of surgical procedures vary from short-term post-surgical pain to permanent disability. The outcome of TOS surgery is affected by the visibility during the operation. In this study, we have compared the complications arising during the supraclavicular and the transaxillary approaches to determine the appropriate approach for TOS surgery.MethodsIn this study, 448 patients with symptoms of TOS were assessed. The male-to-female ratio was approximately 1:4, and the mean age was 34.5 years. Overall, 102 operations were performed, including unilateral, bilateral, and reoperations, and the patients were retrospectively evaluated. Of the 102 patients, 63 underwent the supraclavicular approach, 32 underwent the transaxillary approach, and 7 underwent the transaxillary approach followed by the supraclavicular approach. Complications were evaluated over 24 months.ResultsThe prevalence of pneumothorax, hemothorax, and vessel injuries in the transaxillary and the supraclavicular approaches was equal. We found more permanent and transient brachial plexus injuries in the case of the transaxillary approach than in the case of the supraclavicular approach, but the difference was not statistically significant. Persistent pain and symptoms were significantly more common in patients who underwent the transaxillary approach (p<0.05).ConclusionThe supraclavicular approach seems to be the more effective technique of the two because it offers the surgeon better access to the brachial plexus and a direct view. This approach for a TOS operation offers a better surgical outcome and lower reoperation rates than the transaxillary method. Our results showed the supraclavicular approach to be the preferred method for TOS operations.

A Fourteen-Year Experience with Vascular Anomalies Encountered during Transaxillary Rib Resection for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Transaxillary approach to first rib resection and scalenectomy (TAFRRS) is a well-established technique for treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). Although anatomic features encountered during TAFRRS are in general constant, vascular anomalies may be encountered but have not been described to date. Herein we describe vascular abnormalities encountered during TAFRRS. We performed a retrospective review of a prospective practice database of 224 operations for TOS performed in 172 patients from March 2000 to March 2014. We excluded 10 patients with missing operative reports, 3 reoperations on the same patient, and 8 non-transaxillary resections. We recorded vascular anomalies identified in operative reports and reviewed computed tomography imaging to delineate the nature of these abnormalities. The overall incidence of vascular anomalies was 11% (22 of 203 TAFRRS). Most patients with anomalies had venous TOS (vTOS) (9 patients, 41%), followed by 7 (32%) with neurogenic TOS (nTOS). The remainder of the patients had arterial TOS (aTOS) (6 patients, 27%). Seven patients (32%) had an abnormal subclavian artery (SCA) with 5 (23%) having an abnormal arterial course in the anterior scalene muscle (ASM); 6 patients (27%) had an abnormal internal mammary artery (IMA) originating from distal SCA; 4 (18%) had abnormalities in the supreme thoracic artery (bifurcation or duplication); 2 (9%) had an abnormal branch from the SCA with anomalous location in the operative field; and 3 (14%) had an abnormal large venous branch penetrating the ASM. In the 19 patients with arterial anomalies, 8 (42%) were recognized as arterial branches penetrating the ASM, and 11 (58%) were noticed as they had anomalous arterial locations within the operative field. Most arterial anomalies were seen in vTOS (9, 45%), followed by nTOS (7, 35%). No intraoperative vascular complications occurred. Perioperative complications included 1 occurrence of postoperative transfusion for bleeding following axillary drain discontinuation and 2 Horner's syndromes. One aberrant IMA was electively ligated to allow complete thoracic outlet decompression. Arterial anomalies during TAFRRS are encountered in 11% of operations, and may present with vessel locations in unusual areas within the operative field, or as abnormal vessels penetrating the ASM, thus making scalenectomy precarious. Careful attention must be paid to possible abnormal locations of vessels in the thoracic outlet to avoid bleeding complications.

Transaxillary Approach for Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Results of Surgery

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is one of the most complicated diseases in thoracic surgery with regard to both diagnosis and treatment. Surgical removal of the first rib and cervical rib, if present, has been suggested as the treatment of choice in patients who do not benefit from physiotherapy. In this retrospective study, our surgical experience with TOS and the management of surgical complications are presented. A total of 109 cases with the diagnosis of TOS were operated on between January 1995 and April 2010. Ninety-five of the cases were females (87.2 %) and 14 (12.8 %) were males with a mean age of 35.7 (16-58). A total of 131 operations were performed, of which 21 were bilateral and one was a recurrent operation. The diagnosis was neurogenic TOS in 107 (98.2 %) and vascular TOS in two (1.8 %) patients. All neurogenic TOS operations were performed via the transaxillary route. A posterior thoracoplasty approach was used for recurrent TOS in one case. A total of 23 (21.1 %) cases had a cervical rib. Fibromuscular bands were observed in 68 (62.3 %) cases. The rates for favorable and poor surgical outcome were 125 (95.4 %) and 6 (4.6 %), respectively. The most common complication was apical pneumothorax in 32 (24.6 %) cases, followed by wound infection in four (3 %), lymphatic leak, axillary hematoma and mild brachial plexus traction palsy in one (0.8 %) case. Mortality was not observed. In our experience the exposure provided by the transaxillary approach is safe and superior to that offered by other approaches as it allows a wide range of surgical applications such as first rib resection, cervical rib resection and resection of fibrotic bands.

Long-term Outcome Analysis of the Supraclavicular Surgical Release for the Treatment of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

This is a long-term outcome analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment with a supraclavicular release for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). All patients undergoing supraclavicular release between January 1, 1987, and December 31, 2000, at University Hospital, Inselspital, Bern, Switzerland, were included in this study. Of 29 treated patients, 22 patients (24 TOS) underwent both long-term clinical follow-up (median 12.5 years, standard deviation 3.5 years, range 5-18 years) and short-term clinical follow-up (median 6.6 months, standard deviation 4.5 years, range 3-12 months). Eleven patients (12 TOS operations) were classified as having a neurogenic cause of TOS, whereas the other 11 (12 TOS operations) were classified as having disputed TOS. Patient data, including various outcome parameters, such as pain and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand scores, were evaluated pre- and postoperatively and at long-term follow-up by an independent examiner. The surgical supraclavicular technique is described in detail. In 21 of 24 surgical release procedures, the first rib was resected. There was a marked permanent long-term postoperative reduction of symptoms in both neurogenic and disputed TOS groups. The pain and disabilities of arm, shoulder, and hand scores improved significantly after surgery, regardless of the etiology, in the short- and long-term postoperative observation periods. There were no patients with workers' compensation or litigation issues. This study demonstrates the successful, constant long-term relief of symptoms in carefully selected patients with neurogenic and disputed TOS using the described surgical supraclavicular release technique.

Reported In-Hospital Complications following Rib Resections for Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

While brachial plexus injury has been described as the most common complication following thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) operation and case series have been reported, the exact incidence rate has not been described. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 5 years (1999-2003) of the Nationwide Inpatient Sample database. Neurogenic TOS patients, rib resections, brachial plexus injuries, and vascular injuries are identified by ICD-9 diagnosis codes or procedure codes. A total of 2,016 TOS operations were identified, ranging 317-468 per year, in this database. Mean age was 37.3 years, with 1,409 (70.2%) women and 1,270 (63.0%) Caucasians. These patients were treated in a total of 392 hospitals, with an average volume of 1.03 cases per hospital per year (range 0-114). Their mean hospital length of stay was 2.51 days (median 2), with a mean total hospital charge of $16,160 in inflation-adjusted year 2005 dollars (median $11,824). The majority (1,421, or 70.5%) was treated at a teaching hospital. There were 12 brachial plexus injuries (0.60%) and 35 vascular injuries (1.74%). The rate of vascular injuries was significantly lower among teaching hospitals (1.34% vs. 2.69%, P = 0.03) and in women (1.35% vs. 2.67%, P = 0.03). Vascular injury patients had significantly longer lengths of stay (7.7 vs. 2.4 days, P < 0.001) and higher total hospital charges ($53,373 vs. $15,507, P < 0.001), while no such difference was observed among brachial plexus injury patients. On hospital discharge, brachial plexus injury following rib resection for TOS occurs in <1% of cases, while vascular injuries occur in 1-2% of cases. The low complication rates suggest that the operation can be performed safely in all patients, especially at teaching hospitals, which had significantly lower rates of vascular injuries, shorter hospital lengths of stay, and lower hospital charges. The low incidence rates of these traditional clinical measures of outcome in TOS patients suggest that the appropriate measure for TOS patient outcome would be patient-reported quality of life or functional outcomes.

Surgical management of thoracic outlet syndrome: a 10-year experience.

Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) refers to compression of the neurovascular structures in the region between the scalene muscles and the first rib, or by anatomical abnormalities such as cervical rib, fibrous bands and other variations in the scalene musculature. Our experience with 63 consecutive operations for TOS, over a period of 10 years, has been reviewed. Preoperative symptoms and signs, investigations, surgery done, complications and the outcome of surgery are analysed. A total of 60 patients underwent 63 operations for decompression of TOS. All the 63 first ribs, were excised by the transaxillary approach. In seven patients (16%), a combined transaxillary and supraclavicular approach was used. There was no operative mortality in this series. The operative complications included pneumothorax in four patients (6.3%), which was treated by insertion of chest drain, and lower brachial plexus neuropraxia in two patients (3%), which improved with conservative management. The mean duration of postoperative hospital stay was 3.6 days. At 12 months following surgery, 56 patients (93%) had complete or partial relief of symptoms and only four patients (6.6%) had no relief of symptoms. The results of the present study confirm that transaxillary excision of the first rib is a surgical procedure associated with very low morbidity and excellent relief of symptoms. It can therefore be offered as an early option for patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. It may be combined with the supraclavicular approach if exposure of the subclavian artery is required for vascular reconstruction.

Two-surgeon approach to thoracic outlet syndrome: long-term outcome.

An orthopaedic surgeon and a vascular surgeon jointly conducted 30 operations for thoracic outlet syndrome in 27 patients, having done the preoperative assessments in conjunction with a neurologist. Anterior scalenectomy was performed by the supraclavicular route except in one case where the infraclavicular route was used. The further surgical procedure was tailored to the abnormalities identified--i.e. resection of cervical rib or band, or medial scalenectomy. The first rib was spared. At median follow-up of 37 months (range 3-228) results were judged excellent or good on 26/30 sides (87%); on the three occasions when scalenectomy alone was performed, the results were only fair or poor. There were no major complications and no patient required reoperation. The long-term outcome in this series suggests that, with multidisciplinary assessment and two-surgeon operative treatment, good results can be obtained by the supraclavicular route without resection of the first rib.

Upper Plexus Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: Optimal Therapy

Background. Previously, transaxillary first rib resection alone was not considered adequate therapy for “upper plexus” (median nerve) thoracic outlet syndrome. It was thought that the “combined” approach with upper plexus dissection through a supraclavicular incision in addition to the transaxillary approach was necessary. However, with better understanding of anatomy—that the median nerve receives fibers from C8 and T1 as well as the upper plexus and that muscles that compress the upper plexus attach to the first rib—it is now recognized that first rib removal alone will relieve upper plexus compression.Methods. Assessment of 2,210 operations for thoracic outlet syndrome revealed 250 patients (11%) had symptoms and nerve conduction velocity slowing of the median nerve only (upper plexus), whereas 452 (20%) patients had both median and ulnar nerve compression (upper and lower), and 1,508 patients exhibited compression symptoms and nerve conduction velocity slowing of the ulnar nerve alone (lower plexus).Results. Transaxillary first rib resection relieved symptoms of median nerve (upper plexus) compression as well as it did for ulnar nerve (lower plexus) compression. Treatment outcome comparisons of patients with median and ulnar compression show no significant differences.Conclusions. These data refute the need for supraclavicular or combined supraclavicular and transaxillary approaches to treat patients with upper plexus (median) thoracic outlet syndrome compression as previously recommended. The transaxillary approach alone is satisfactory.(Ann Thorac Surg 1997;63:935–9)

Recurrent thoracic outlet syndrome

Recurrent symptoms develop in 15% to 20% of patients undergoing either first rib resection or scalenectomy for thoracic outlet syndrome. Over the past 22 years 134 operations for recurrence were performed in 97 patients. Four operations were used: transaxillary first rib resection (26); supraclavicular first rib resection with neurolysis (15); scalenectomy with neurolysis (58); and brachial plexus neurolysis (35). Complications included temporary plexus injury (0.7%), temporary phrenic palsy (3.7%), and permanent phrenic palsy (1.4%). The combined primary success rate of all four operations for recurrence was 84% in the first 3 months. This fell to 59% at 1 to 2 years; 50% at 3 to 5 years; and 41% at 10 to 15 years. No significant difference was found in results between the four operations used for recurrence. When recurrence was caused by trauma the results of reoperations were better than when recurrence was spontaneous. The primary success rates of three initial operations for thoracic outlet syndrome were compared to their secondary success rates (improved after reoperation). By use of life-table methods, reoperation improved the 5- to 10-year success rate of transaxillary first rib resection from 69% to 86% and for scalenectomy from 69% to 84%. Reoperation is successful in most cases of recurrent thoracic outlet syndrome and better when recurrence is the result of a neck injury.

Congenital anomalies associated with thoracic outlet syndrome: Anatomy, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment

Personal evaluation of more than 2,300 patients for possible thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) and knowledge gained from 980 TOS operations in 766 patients (operative incidence of 33.7 per cent of the patients examined) have shown that most patients with TOS have anomalous fibrous muscular bands near the brachial plexus that predispose them to neurologic irritation or compression involving the plexus. Anatomic analysis during operations for TOS, plus cadaver dissections, have disclosed seven distinct types of fibromuscular bands in addition to the less frequent bony anomalies long associated with neurovascular compression. One third of fifty-eight cadaver thoracic outlets dissected showed at least one of the seven muscular anomalies recognized at operations. These anomalies can be accurately related to the patients' symptoms, which are neurologic complaints in 99 per cent of the patients examined who ultimately have the diagnosis of TOS established. Neurologic symptoms are clearly explained by the anomalous bands irritating or compressing the brachial plexus and rarely have any effect on the subclavian vessels. These studies, and others before, have shown no correlation with impairment of circulation or positional radial pulse changes in almost all patients with true TOS. Also, arteriograms and nerve conduction studies generally have failed to be of value in establishing the accurate diagnosis. Reasons for these conclusions are explained, and the most reliable tests are described. The most effective means of relief of severe symptoms of TOS is to alter the mechanical irritation or compression of the brachial plexus by completely resecting the first thoracic rib and all anomalous fibromuscular tissue around the plexus and subclavian vessels. If patients are thoroughly evaluated with appropriate tests and highly selected for surgical treatment, gratifying relief will result in more than 90 per cent of patients, if the correct operation is performed with meticulous technic.