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Updated: Jan 15, 2026

Transaxillary First Rib Resection for Treatment of the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome
Published on: September 13, 2020
Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Caused by Bilateral Cervical Ribs of the Eighth Cervical Vertebra: A Case Report
Hiroshi Satake1, Toshiya Nito, Masahiro Tsuchiya
1Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Yamagata University Faculty of Medicine, Yamagata, Japan.
Case:
We experienced a rare case of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by bilateral cervical ribs (CR) arising from the 8th cervical vertebra and resected using a supraclavicular approach. Eight months after the left surgery, the remnant of the CR, which could not be removed, was enlarged and compressed the neurovascular bundle again. Reoperation was performed using a transaxillary endoscopic approach. The patient had no symptoms or recurrence 5 years after the final surgery.
Conclusion:
The 8th cervical vertebra is rarely encountered. The transaxillary endoscopic approach was helpful for resectioning the CR under the clavicle.
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