[New approaches in diagnosis and therapy of the thoracic outlet syndrome]

The results of diagnosis and treatment of the thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) in 35 patients have been analysed. Compression of the subclavicular neurovascular bundle at the site of its outlet from the thoracic cavity was most frequent cause of TOS development. A degree of compression was assessed quantitatively by the data of a modified functional dynamic test. The modified operation, including resection of the I rib (and of a cervical one in its presence), scalene muscle, musculus pectoralis minor, periarterial sympathectomy of the subclavicular artery, was performed. In narrow (less than 1.5 cm) costoclavicular space, the II rib was additionally resected. An excellent long-term result is indicative of the effectiveness of the method.