no rib removal = 55% success rate, somewaht less traumatic surgery

rib removal = 70% success rate, slightly more traumatic surgery

roughly speaking, assuming a competant surgeon, and quoting my neurologist, here, who is a TOS expert, and NOT a surgeon...just sees a lot of people pre and post op.

good luck, and yes, second opinion= good idea!!! for any major medical procedure, as long as it comes from a competant TOS doc.