Relevance of Costovertebral Exarticulation of the First Rib in Neurogenic Thoracic Outlet Syndrome: A Retrospective Clinical Study.

This study showed that significantly better results were obtained when exarticulation of the first rib was performed in patients with NTOS. This finding supports the hypothesis that, in certain cases, the proximal portion of the first rib plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of NTOS.