Analysis of complications after surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome

[Objective]To observe the complications after surgical treatment of thoracic outlet syndrome and to analyze causes and prevention of complications.[Methods]A retrospective review was done for 62 cases of thoracic outlet syndrome which had been treated by operation from January 2002 to January 2006.All the complications occrred were collected in the following time.[Results]Follow up time was 14 months to 30 months.According to assessment standard described by Wood,treatment outcome was excellent in 26 cases,good in 16 cases,fair in 11 cases and poor in 9 cases.Nine of all the 62 patients had been found complications,including hematoma in 3 cases,lymphadenectomy in 2 cases,cervical plexus injury in 2 cases,phrenic nerve injury in 1 case,brachial plexus injury in 1 case and pneumothorax in 1 case.All the patients were successfully treated.[Conclusions]The occurrences of complications are related to the skill of operation and individual differences of patients.In order to decrease and finally prevent these complications,operative experiences and preventive measures are needed.