Evidence map›Paper›PMID 39910027›Full record

Trial reportUpdates in surgery2025

To resect or avulse first rib in management of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome: a randomized controlled trial.

Fahmi H Kakamad

Abstract readRandomized Controlled Trial
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Trial report in Updates in surgery, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

1 author.

Fahmi H KakamadCollege of Medicine, University of Sulaimani-Old Campus, Madam Mitterrand Street , Sulaymaniyah, 46001, Iraq. fahmi.hussein@univsul.edu.iq.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2124-9580

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionNeurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (nTOS) is commonly treated with first-rib resection, a procedure linked to postoperative complications, but its necessity remains debated among experts, highlighting the need for further research. This randomized controlled trial aims to compare conventional first-rib resection with the avulsion method to identify the most effective surgical approach.

methodsThis single-center, randomized, group-sequential trial compared two surgical approaches for treating nTOS. Participants were randomly assigned to undergo first-rib resection (Group A) or first-rib avulsion (Group B), with both groups blinded to treatment allocation. The University of Sulaimani granted ethical approval and obtained written informed consent. Inclusion criteria included nTOS patients requiring surgery, excluding those with other TOS types, cervical ribs, clavicular fractures, or other complications. Outcome measures included pain scores, numbness, and patient satisfaction at multiple time points. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS and Microsoft Excel.

resultsA total of 48 female patients were enrolled (23 in Group A, 25 in Group B). The mean age was 32.58 ± 7.23 years, and the average operation duration was 48.27 ± 13.95 min. Group B had significantly longer ribs (P < 0.001). Both groups showed significant pain and numbness reduction, with no significant differences in outcomes (P = 0.647, P = 0.839). At 6 months, 92.0% of Group B and 87.0% of Group A patients recommended the surgery.

conclusionAlthough statistically not significant, first rib avulsion may offer a viable alternative to resection for nTOS, providing comparable pain relief and functional recovery with reduced invasiveness.

Indexed as

Decompression, SurgicalRibsThoracic Outlet SyndromeAdultFemaleHumansMalePatient SatisfactionTreatment OutcomeYoung AdultComplicationFirst rib avulsionPain reliefSurgical outcome

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.