Background: Both cervical rib alone and first thoracal rib additionally could be removed in thoracic outlet syndrome resulted from cervical rib.

Methods: To explore difference between two operative method we reviewed 16 patients whose only cervical rib removed (Group A) and other 13 patients whose cervical and first thoracal rib removed (Group B). Both groups had similar properties. Most frequent symptoms were shoulder and upper extremity pain (88%), muscle weakness (76%), and fatigue (68%). These parameters were recorded: mean operation time, changing on nerve conduction velocity, rate of patients becoming asymptomatical, rate of postoperative complication, mean hospital stay, and rate of staying asymptomatically in long term. If at least 4 of these parameters had no difference between two groups it was assumed that two operative methods were not different.

Results: Operation time was longer in group B. Other five parameters was not different. Both groups had one each patient required thromboembolectomy. First thoracal rib resection was performed in one patient in Group A. Severe upper extremity pain was observed in one patient in Group B. Pneumothorax was observed in both groups.

Conclusion: Surgical approach in thoracic outlet syndrome causing by cervical rib depends on surgeon’s preferance.

Keywords : Thoracic outlet syndrome, cervical rib