I'm always curious what anatomical differences cause one person to have ATOS or VTOS vs. another to have NTOS. Has anyone read anything about that? Seems like a natural question that even the medical experts would be interested in.

There have been many studies on this.

Do you have references you can share in the form of urls or study names?

I had rib resection and pec minor disinsertions, both bi-laterally and had an 'extra' left scalene removed. I dont think 'too far gone' is the right term, I think my anatomy simply had no more space to allow the nerves/arteries/veins free movement.

It's been 6 years since the last surgery. Pain levels are on average at 5-7 on any given day. Pain events worthy of medicating (8-10) happen several times a month in fall, winter and spring. Summer maybe 1 per month. If I don't trigger pain by over doing it, I think arthritis (spondyolosis) is my biggest cause of pain now.

12 weeks post op....returned to work on part time basis only- 3 hrs/day ( thats all I can manage before fatigue and aches set in) .
I have a doctors note to certify NO lifting or carrying with both hands. Which I intend to stick firm to at all costs, I'm not prepared to hurt myself over a part time job!
My frame of mind regarding work has totally changed now. I do what I can at my own pace. If my employers are not satisfied with that than so be it..... Its all I have to give! I have to be ALOT more respectful to my body now. My healing has to come first. I'm not as I used to be but in the same token I'm still here..... just not so physical.
WHAT WILL BE WILL BE.

I have to say, I am somewhat happy that there are more "successes" coming to light with TOS surgery than I previously thought. Reading of a few more positive outcomes lately which is uplifting.

It looks like 12 people have had the surgery. 6 are better for it. The other 6 are the same or worse. One of those 6 is redoing the surgery so they must be worse, too.

I still don't think 50% success rate is much of an endorsement for surgery.

Of the people who are better, who has neurogenic and who has vascular or arterial TOS?

Quite right, not saying it makes the decision easy. I was just under the assumption rarely do any successes come out of it. 50% is not anywhere near good. But it's better than 20% success rate. Just trying to find -any- optimism or hope if I have to have the procedure.

I have asked a few others who have had it that don't post here and they've had good outcomes as well.

In my opinion, 50% is better than 0%. Success = any improvement, no matter how small. Success doesn't have to mean a complete return to wholeness.

I think I am somewhat better having had the surgery. I believe I have both neurogenic and arterial TOS. The extra ribs, fiberous bands and extra scalene took their toll on everything running thru the Thoracic Outlet.

%0% is better then doing nothing. Of those having redo's some are because the first surgeon messed up the surgery and they may now be going to surgeons that are well known for successful TOS surgery.

Unless you have had surgery for TOS and DO feel better I guess one would think it isn't a good %. For those who have had surgery and are doing better then they were and are willing to accept not being 100% better counts more then anything.