Modified transmanubrial approach for complicated type 1 cervical rib resection requiring subclavian artery reconstruction

Abstract

The transmanubrial musculoskeletal sparing approach (TMA) is commonly used for resecting apical lung tumours with vascular involvement. Non-neoplastic conditions which might require surgical exploration of the thoracic outlet include the “cervical rib”, a clinical condition consisting of an additional rib forming above the first rib and growing from the base of the neck just above the clavicle. Type 1 cervical rib—when a complete cervical rib articulates with the first rib or manubrium of the sternum—is the most challenging scenario where the subclavian artery can be damaged by continuous compression due to the narrow space between clavicle, first rib and supernumerary cervical rib, requiring prosthetic reconstruction of the involved tract. Here we describe a modified TMA in which the incision in the neck is conducted posteriorly to the sternocleidomastoid muscle, thus allowing safe dissection of the superior and middle trunk of the brachial plexus.