A note about success rates for scalenectomy:

My doctor told me that the success rates on patients followed by ucla over a 15 year time frame was 70%(90% for first year) on rib resection and 50% on scalenectomy. Not to say that you couldn't go back for the rib resection after the scalenectomy... and of the 10% that don't get better with the rib resection, a portion of them get worse (is ther really worse than this? I guess so)

in summary:

more serious surgery, somewhat better success rate= first rib resection

easier surgery, lower success rate= scalenectomy


If Dr Filler's MRN is worth anything (and many will tell you it isn't) than you (well, he) ought to be able to increase the odds of success with scalenectomy seeing some that will clearly need rib resection before opening you up.