[Technical modification of transaxillary resection of the first rib in surgery of thoraco-brachial outlet syndromes].

From April 1985 to September 1991, 88 patients were operated for a total of 100 thoracobrachial outlet syndromes. The patients were placed in the dorsal supine position, turned 30 degrees towards the contralateral side. The arm was suspended in slight abduction. The access obtained is identical to that obtained with the classical operation. No direct traction or compression is exerted on the pedicles during retraction and the operation requires a single assistant. The composition, indications and results of our series are similar to those reported in the recent literature. We did not observed any immediate or late neurological complications. We conclude that thoracobrachial outlet syndromes can be treated via an axillary approach using mechanical traction and a single assistant without increasing the risk of neurological complications.