Evidence review summary for ‘Which surgical approach provides the best clinical outcomes?’
| Clinical outcome | Summary of evidence review (VATS vs thoracotomy) (95% CI) |
| Length of hospital stay | 2.3 days shorter (1.2 to 3.4) with VATS |
| Need for repeat intervention | No difference and very low for both (≈35/1000)* |
| Patient symptoms | Less postoperative pain with VATS† |
| Complications | Less with VATS (152/1000 patients (138 to 167) compared with 197/1000* |
| Quality of life | Not reported in any study |
| Mortality | Slightly lower with VATS (35/1000 (29 to 42) compared with 47/1000)* |
*Meta-analysis results reported as per 1000 patients.
†Meta-analysis not possible, data reported in different formats.
VATS, video-assisted thoracoscopy surgery.