Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Summary

Here, we present a protocol of the transaxillary resection of the first rib for treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian vein and artery.

Abstract

Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is a common disorder that causes a significant loss of productivity. The transaxillary first rib resection (TFRR) protocol has been used for the decompression of trapped neurovascular structures in the TOS. Among the other surgical procedures, the advantage of the TFRR is that it has the smallest rate of recurrence and better cosmetic outcomes. The disadvantage of TFRR is that it provides a narrow, and deep working corridor that makes obtaining vascular control challenging.

Introduction

The compression of the brachial plexus, subclavian artery or vein in the scalene triangle is clinically known as thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS), first described by Peet et al.¹. Thoracic outlet syndrome is subdivided into neurogenic (NTOS), arterial TOS, and venous TOS based on the underlying etiology¹. Patients with NTOS (93-95% of TOS cases) present with pain, numbness, and ipsilateral weakness. Patients with venous TOS (3-5%) present with venous thrombosis, and patients with arterial TOS (1-2%) present with arterial thromboembolic event and ischemia. Conservative management of TOS includes medications and physiotherap....

Protocol

This study was conducted in accordance with Declaration of Helsinki and local clinical ethics committee (2018/09).

1. Physical Examination

NOTE: The provocative tests for diagnosis of the TOS are depicted in Figure 1.

1. For the Adson test (scalene test, Figure 1A), bring the patient’s shoulder to external rotation with slight abduction and a little bit of extension and palpate the radial pul.......

Discussion

TFRR is the most used surgical technique for treatment of TOS^9,10,11. The advantage of the TFRR is that it provides a better cosmetic result with a hidden incision in the axilla without requirement of cutting the muscles to reach the surgical field. Its disadvantage is the relatively narrow and deep working space. The supraclavicular approach, which is preferred for arterial TOS treatment, puts the subclavian artery at less risk.......

Materials

Name	Company	Catalog Number	Comments
Ag Debakey vascular forceps 24 cm, 3.5 mm	Lawton medizintechnik	30-0032	Check the hemorrhage
Bone chisels curved 13x9.1/2''	Aesculap Inc.	MB-992R	Dissect the periost of the first rib
Doyen-stille retractor 24 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	20-0650	Skin- muscle retraction
Foerster sponge forceps straight	Lawton medizintechnik	07-0156	For swabbing
Luer stille bone rongeur curved 27 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	38-0703	Bone punches
Luer stille rongeur straight 22 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	38-0400	Rib cutter
Mayo hegar needle holder 20.5 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	08-0184	Suturing
Metzenbaum scissors curved delicate 23 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	05-0665	Dissection
Overholt curved forceps delicate 30.5 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	06-0807	Split the scalen muscles from the rib
Roberts art forceps straight 24 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	06-0370	For sponge and remove remain bone
Roux retractor medium size 15.5 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	20-0402	Wound retraction
Semb rasparotry 22,5 cm, 12mm	Lawton medizintechnik	39-0252	Dissect the muscle of the first rib
Smith peterson model curved osteotome 13x205 mm	Lawton medizintechnik	46-0783	Dissect the muscle of the first rib
Stille -giertz rib shears 27 cm	Lawton medizintechnik	38-0200	First rib cutting
Stille osteotome 8x205 mm	Lawton medizintechnik	46-0248	Dissect the periost of the first rib
Wagner rongeur 5.5x210 mm	Lawton medizintechnik	53-0703	Punches