From Numbness to Relief: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and the Successful Surgery of Ms. Mien

Ms. Mien, a 48-year-old woman, was experiencing numbness in her right fingers, a tired arm, and occasional cold right hand. After visiting a doctor, she was diagnosed with a rare thoracic outlet syndrome. This condition occurs when blood vessels or nerves in the upper body are compressed by surrounding structures, leading to various symptoms like tingling, muscle weakness, and pain in the neck, shoulders, arms or hands.

Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung, Head of the Department of Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery at Tam Anh General Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City explained that Ms. Mien had severe stenosis of the right subclavian artery root and the subclavian veins on both sides, suspected to be due to TOS. TOS is divided into three types: neurogenic TOS, venous TOS and arterial TOS.

To treat Ms. Mien’s condition, a surgical team performed a procedure to widen the thoracic outlet by cutting the anterior bundle of the scalene muscle. The surgery was successful and Ms. Mien experienced immediate relief from her symptoms following it. Following the surgery she was advised to follow a healthy lifestyle to prevent stress on her shoulders and muscles around the thoracic outlet.

The cause of thoracic outlet syndrome can be attributed to various factors such as trauma