Successful paraclavicular surgical decompression for recurrent venous thoracic outlet syndrome following transaxillary first rib resection in an elite athlete

Abstract

Objectives

Recurrent effort thrombosis after prior surgical intervention for venous thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) is an uncommon problem, and there are multiple alternative surgical approaches in the management of recurrent venous TOS.

Methods

We present a case of a 23 year-old female professional athlete who presented with arm swelling, pain, and recurrent effort thrombosis after prior transaxillary rib resection. Imaging at our institution revealed subclavian vein thrombosis, confirmed with dynamic venography, as well as a remnant first rib.

Results

Thrombolysis of the subclavian vein and balloon angioplasty was followed by paraclavicular thoracic outlet decompression with complete first rib resection. Success was confirmed with intraoperative dynamic venography demonstrating a patent subclavian vein and resulted in complete elimination of symptoms.

Conclusion

Additional surgical decompression with complete medial first rib resection of remnant rib, which was potentially causing compression of the subclavian vein, may be necessary to prevent recurrent venous compression and thrombosis for venous TOS.