Long-term functional outcomes after surgical treatment of nonspecific thoracic outlet syndrome: Retrospective study of 70 cases at a mean of 8 years’ follow-up

Abstract Our objective was to study the clinical and functional outcomes after surgical treatment of nonspecific thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) using a supraclavicular approach. We included every patient with TOS who was treated surgically by the same surgeon at a single hospital between 1999 and 2014 with a minimum follow-up of 4 years. The primary outcome was the overall evaluation of the function by the QuickDASH Score. Secondary outcomes included functional, subjective outcomes, pain levels, and neuropathic features. The clinical outcome of 70 cases was evaluated with a mean follow-up of 8.5 years. The improvement in the QuickDASH Score was significant with an average change of 38 points. Mean pain intensity was reduced postoperatively by 1.6 points from 5.1/10 to 3.5/10. Persistent pain rate at 4/10 or more remained in 56% of cases. These cases were mostly neuropathic. The surgical procedure significantly reduced the number of patients suffering from paresthesia, numbing or weakness. The possibility of sequelae and the persistence of neuropathic pain means the surgical indication should be limited to patients with significant functional disability despite well-conducted rehabilitation. The long-term functional outcomes in patients undergoing TOS was mostly good but could be improved by addressing residual neuropathic pain symptoms.