Long-term outcome analysis of the supraclavicular surgical release for the treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

OBJECTIVE: This is a long-term outcome analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment with a supraclavicular release for thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).

METHODS: 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).

RESULTS: 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.

CONCLUSION: 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.