Long-term follow-up after thoracic outlet decompression: an analysis of factors determining outcome.

We reviewed our 12-year experience with transaxillary first rib resection in 136 patients screened by neurologists and thought to have neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome to determine what factors affected outcome. These patients represented 85% of the operative experience in a referral area of 1.2 million people. Patients were recalled every 2 years for surveillance. The mean follow-up was 60 +/- 7 months. There were no brachial plexus or vascular injuries. Secondary operations in the neck were required in 20 patients. The quality of the operative result was determined by whether the patient was able to return to preillness activities and whether the patient would undergo operation again if the same result would be obtained. The most important determinant of result was a history of trauma precipitating the neurologic symptoms, particularly in women. Only 25 of the 53 patients (47%) with a history of trauma returned to preillness activities compared to 65 of the 83 patients (78%) without such a history. Overall patient satisfaction was not affected by trauma. Thirty-eight of the 53 patients with trauma (72%) and 69 of the 83 patients (83%) without trauma were satisfied. When the men and women were analyzed separately men were found to have better results after trauma than did women. Other factors with a negative impact on operative results were the need to return to an activity that required repetitive arm movements, coverage under a worker's compensation insurance policy, and fixed joint abnormalities or neurologic findings in the upper extremity. The presence of an anatomic abnormality had no effect on operative results.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)