Authors

• Mohammad Ali Hosseinian, MD
• Tooraj Salimi, MD
• Yalda Soleimanifard, MD
• Kourosh Sheibani, MD

Abstract

Background: Thoracic oulet syndrome is treated using non-surgical or surgical approaches. Surgical treatment is necessary if non-surgical treatments fail. In this study we compared the supraclavicular and transaxillary approaches for surgery of the brachial plexus.Methods: We, retrospectively, studied 69 patients undergoing surgery to treat thoracic outlet syndrome from 2001 to 2008. Twenty six patients had bilateral thoracic outlet syndrome. Sixty three cases were operated with supraclavicular approach for the first time, 32 cases were operated with transaxillary approach for the first time, and 7 cases were reoperated with supraclavicular approach. The complications were evaluated for 24 months.Results: Pneumothorax, hemothorax, vessels injury in transaxillary and supraclavicular approach were  the same but permanent and transient brachial plexus injury in transaxillay approach were more than supraclavicular approach.Conclusion: Supraclavicular approach for surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome provides better access to braxial plexus and there is less need for reoperation compared to transaxillary method.

Keywords

• Thoracic outlet syndrome
• Surgery
• Complications