Observations on the use of seprafilm on the brachial plexus in 249 operations for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome.

PURPOSE: Seprafilm was initially used successfully as a membrane to reduce abdominal adhesions. Subsequently it was tried in a number of other areas to reduce postoperative scarring. Seprafilm was employed in this study to see if it would reduce postoperative scarring after supraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).
MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 249 operations for primary NTOS (185) and recurrent NTOS (64). Seprafilm was applied to the nerve roots at the end of each procedure. Diagnosis was established by careful history and extensive physical exam consisting of several provocative maneuvers. Scalene muscle block confirmed the diagnosis.
RESULTS: Success rates for primary operations, 1-2 years postoperation were 74% for scalenectomy without first rib resection and 70% for scalenectomy with first rib resection. For reoperations, success rate for scalenectomy and neurolysis after transaxillary rib resection was 78% whereas success rate for neurolysis after supraclavicular scalenectomy was 68%. Seprafilm did not significantly improve overall results compared to our results 15 years ago, although in reoperations there was a trend toward improvement with Seprafilm. Observations in 10 reoperations after use of Seprafilm revealed that there were fewer adhesions between fat pad and nerve roots, making it much easier to find the nerve roots. Recurrence was because of scar formation around individual nerve roots.
CONCLUSION: Seprafilm made reoperations easier by reducing scarring between scalene fat pad and brachial plexus. However, it did not prevent scar tissue forming around the individual nerve roots nor did it significantly lower the failure rate for primary operations. The trend supported the use of Seprafilm in reoperations.