A Left Subclavian Artery Compressed by Left Anterior Scalene Muscle: A Case Report

Abstract

About 1% of Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS) cases are arterial. It is due to compression of the subclavian artery over the first rib. This case report describes a left subclavian artery compressed by the left anterior scalene muscle. The patient was a 20 years old male complaining of coldness and cyanosis of the left hand upon standing in a military position. We performed the left thoracic outlet decompression from the supraclavicular incision. We preserved it. We resected the left anterior scalene muscle and released the left subclavian artery and then closed the layers in anatomic position. The next day we visited the patient He expressed complete recovery from previous symptoms. His left hand was warm and there was no decrease in radial upon left arm abduction. The supraclavicular approach is a safe and effective approach to treating arterial TOS. It results in good functional outcomes in most patients, and it doesn’t have serious complications. This method can be used as the approach of choice in patients selected properly.

Keywords

• subclavian
• scalene muscle
• artery