Surgical treatment of the thoracic outlet syndrome.

In 63 patients with severe symptoms of thoracic outlet syndrome, transaxillary rib resection was performed. The series was re-evaluated after a mean postoperative observation time of 2.5 years. Complete relief of all symptoms was obtained in 64% of the patients and marked improvement in 17%. The result was classified as fair in 12%. In 7% of the series no improvement of symptoms was obtained.