[Efficacy of transecting the anterior scalene muscle in the scalenus anticus syndrome (syndrome of the scalene muscle)].

The authors observed 111 cases with the anterior scalenus syndrome. Ninety-three patients underwent surgical treatment. Acknowledging the predominant role of the anterior scalenus muscle in the pathogenesis of this disorder the authors performed scalenotomia. In the group of patients with a noncomplicated development of the disease (48 cases) the operation appeared to be effective in 93.7% of the cases, while in vascular complications (45 cases) the effectiveness of the operation was significantly reduced. A positive result in these cases was attained only in 51.1%. On the basis of these data the authors come to the conclusion that scalenotomia performed in the initial, noncomplicated stages of the disease is a good prophylactic measure for severe complications in the magistral vessels and is an effective method of treatment of the scalenus-anticus syndrome.