[Thoracic outlet syndrome with arterial complication treated by the subclavicular transsternal approach: report of a case].

A 42-year-old female was referred to our vascular service because of her right arm fatigue and cold sensitivity. On elevation of right arm, her radial pulse was absent with pallor of the hand. Angiography demonstrated a significant stenosis of the right subclavian artery, which was considered to be complication of thoracic outlet syndrome. We performed resection of the first rib using the standard subclavicular approach and the subclavian-subclavian artery bypass using a new transsternal extension approach to the subclavian artery. After follow-up 18 months, she was working and asymptomatic. This transsternal extension is effective to treat the arterial complication after decompression of the thoracic outlet.