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The supraclavicular approach has been a successful route for thoracic outlet decompression. It permits many more options than the transaxillary route. Anterior and middle scalenectomy, together with brachial plexus neurolysis can be performed with excellent exposure. The same incision can be used to perform cervical or first rib resection, although the success rate is not significantly improved by removing ribs. The 5-year success rate for scalenectomy with or without first rib resection using life table methods is approximately 70%.

Venous thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by subclavian vein obstruction with or without thrombosis. The primary symptom is arm swelling, frequently accompanied by cyanosis, pain, and occasionally paresthesias. Venography is the only reliable diagnostic tool. Therapy has three goals: (1) remove the thrombus (in thrombotic cases), (2) remove the extrinsic compression, and in a minority of cases, (3) remove the intrinsic stenosis.

Until the 1920s, TOS was believed to be a vascular condition caused by compression of the subclavian artery by a congenital anomaly, either a cervical rib or tight anterior scalen muscle. Today it is regarded primarily as a neurologic condition caused by neck trauma injuring and scarring the scalene muscles.