Comparison of VATS and mini-incision thoracotomy for the treatment of benign esophageal diseases / 中华外科杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare video-assisted thoracis surgery (VATS) and mini-incision thoracotomy for the treatment of benign esophageal diseases.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The clinical data of 52 patients with benign esophageal diseases underwent minimally invasive surgical treatment from January 1995 to January 2007 were analyzed retrospectively. VATS were performed in 25 cases and mini-incision thoracotomy were performed in 27 cases.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was no operative death or major perioperative complications in both groups. There were no significant difference between them according to operation time, postoperative thoracic drainage time, postoperative gastric drainage time and postoperative hospital stay time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>For the treatment of benign esophageal diseases, both VATS and mini-incision thoracotomy are safe and effective. VATS can be performed in suitable cases with more minimal incision and decreased operative trauma, mini-incision thoracotomy can be performed in almost all cases, preferring the sophisticated cases.</p>