First rib resection and corrective clavicle osteotomy using the infraclavicular approach for thoracic outlet syndrome due to clavicle malunion: A case report

BMC Musculoskelet Disord. 2025 Jul 4;26(1):592. doi: 10.1186/s12891-025-08855-x.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Thoracic outlet syndrome can develop following the malunion of a clavicle midshaft fracture. To date, thoracic outlet syndrome complicated by clavicle malunion is typically treated with either first rib resection or corrective clavicle osteotomy; however, there have been no reports of these two procedures being performed simultaneously using the same approach. We present the first documented case of thoracic outlet syndrome caused by clavicle malunion treated by simultaneous first rib resection and corrective clavicle osteotomy through a single infraclavicular approach.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 46-year-old woman presented with numbness and muscle weakness in the left upper limb, which worsened with 90º abduction external rotation of the shoulder joint. She had a history of conservative treatment for a left clavicle midshaft fracture 21 years earlier. Magnetic resonance imaging taken with upper extremity elevation revealed stenosis of the left subclavian artery at the costoclavicular space. Three-dimensional clavicle symmetry plane demonstrated that the distal fragment of the left clavicle displaced inferiorly and malunited, and left scapular depressed and retracted. The distance between the left clavicle and the first rib was up to 7 mm shorter than that on the right side. She was diagnosed with left arterial thoracic outlet syndrome caused by clavicle malunion. Using an infraclavicular approach, we performed the first rib resection and clavicle osteotomy. We inserted the first rib bone graft into the osteotomy site and performed the plate fixation. Her symptoms had resolved by two years postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONS: The present case provides new information on the surgical procedure of thoracic outlet syndrome due to clavicle malunion. In our patient, the inferior displacement of malunited clavicle and the associated scapular malposition may cause narrowing of the costoclavicular space, resulting in the development of thoracic outlet syndrome. The present case demonstrates that the infraclavicular approach enables the simultaneous first rib resection and corrective clavicle osteotomy and provides reliable decompression of the costoclavicular space.

CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

PMID:40615867 | DOI:10.1186/s12891-025-08855-x