A comparison of surgery for neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome between laborers and nonlaborers.

OBJECTIVE

To determine factors of outcome following surgical intervention for neurologic thoracic outlet syndrome (NTOS).

METHODS

In a retrospective study of patients surgically treated for NTOS, outcome was evaluated by postoperative symptoms and the ability of patients to return to work.

RESULTS

Good, fair, and poor results were obtained in 26 (48%), 21 (39%), and 7 (13%) patients, respectively. The best predictor of a good outcome was occupation. Nonlaborers were more likely to have good outcome (21 of 32, 66%) when compared with laborers (5 of 22, 23%; P = 0.0025). Only 6 of 20 (30%) laborers were able to return to their original occupation compared with 17 of 26 (65%) nonlaborers (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONS

Laborers with NTOS are less likely to have a good result from surgical intervention, are unlikely to return to their original occupation, and may require retraining for a non-labor-intensive occupation if they cannot return to their original work.