Shoulder girdle compression syndrome

Nowadays all compression syndromes at the upper chest like the costoclavicular syndrome, the scalenus syndrome, the hyperabduction syndrome and the Page-von Schroetter syndrome are included under the term of thoracic-outlet-syndrome. Apart from a constitutional disposition (cervical rib, anomalies of the tendons, etc.), it needs special factors like professional activities, sports, trauma, etc. to develop a T.O.S. syndrome. The symptoms range from prickling paresthesia, early fatigue, pains in shoulder and neck, claudication like pains and strong tendency towards swelling and rest pain or peripheral gangrene. Among 3126 vascular-surgical operations 128 transaxillary rib resections were performed during the time from June 1st, 1975 until March 31st, 1980. On 105 occasions rib resection was combined with the thoracic sympathectomy. In only 4 cases the resection of a cervical rib was sufficient to obtain decompression; in 15 cases the first rib had to be resected with a cervical rib. In 3 cases direct reconstructions of the artery and subclavian vein was performed by way of transaxillary approach. Postoperatively, 56% of the patients remained completely asymptomatic, 32% were decidedly improved and 12% unchanged.