Thoracic outlet syndrome treatment with thoracic outlet decompression

Surgery can be one of the most effective treatments for thoracic outlet syndrome. Mainly, it is useful when conservative drug therapy can not deal with the symptoms. As a rule, an operation is usually indicated in the case of a cervical rib compressing of the subclavian artery and neurovascular bundle that progresses despite conservative treatment. The therapy eliminates the causes of illness. For example, it may be the removal of the additional neck rib or resectioning of the first rib. In patients whose vein is wholly blocked, bypass surgery is sometimes performed to restore venous circulation in the arm. The first rib removal is also desirable to eliminate nerve compression and achieve a long-lasting effect from the operation. Thoracic outlet surgery is performed under general anesthesia and has a small risk of complications. The operation includes two stages. First, an extra or abnormal rib is removed. Then the damaged artery is excised, and blood circulation is restored by stitching the two ends of the vessels together or using an arterial graft. In the postoperative period, the patient might require rehabilitation or physiotherapy to regain lost upper limb function. However, restoring adequate blood supply and nerve function takes some time.