Prospective study of the functional recovery after surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
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.


METHODS
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.


RESULTS
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).


CONCLUSIONS
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.
Cordobes-Gual
J
J
Department of Angiology and Vascular Surgery, Son Dureta Universitary Hospital, C/Andrea Doria 55, 07014 Palma de Mallorca, Islas Baleares, Spain.
Lozano-Vilardell
P
P
Torreguitart-Mirada
N
N
Lara-Hernandez
R
R
Riera-Vazquez
R
R
Julia-Montoya
J
J
D000328:Adult; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020127:Recovery of Function; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020246:Venous Thrombosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery