title: Safety and efficacy of the supraclavicular approach to thoracic outlet decompression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a clinical diagnosis encountered by both thoracic and vascular surgeons. The goal of surgical therapy involves relieving compression of the neurovascular structures at the superior thoracic aperture. The traditional approach to thoracic outlet decompression has been transaxillary; however more centers are moving toward a more tailored approach through a supraclavicular incision.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of 67 patients who underwent surgical decompression between 1993 and 2001 for TOS were retrospectively reviewed. Patient demographics and early outcome were assessed through clinic follow-up.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Seventy-two thoracic outlet decompressions were performed on 67 patients with the diagnosis of TOS. Five patients underwent bilateral thoracic outlet decompression. All operations in this time period were safely accomplished through a supraclavicular approach. The syndromes associated with thoracic outlet compression were neurogenic (n = 59), venous (n = 10), and arterial (n = 3). Forty-six of 72 (63.9%) operations resulted in complete resolution of symptoms, 17 cases (23.6%) had partial resolution, and 9 patients (12.5%) had no resolution. There were no deaths and morbidity was minimal with 6 complications (8.3%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The supraclavicular approach is a safe and effective technique in managing all forms of thoracic outlet compression.
authors.affiliation: Division of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, University of Virginia Health Science Center, Charlottesville, Virginia 22908, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Maxey
authors.forename: T Brett
authors.initials: TB
authors.lastname: Reece
authors.forename: Peter I
authors.initials: PI
authors.lastname: Ellman
authors.forename: Curtis G
authors.initials: CG
authors.lastname: Tribble
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harthun
authors.forename: Irving L
authors.initials: IL
authors.lastname: Kron
authors.forename: John A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Kern
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002968:Clavicle; D015331:Cohort Studies; D019299:Decompression, Surgical / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome