BACKGROUND: Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) has gained an increasing importance as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool in @entity764 . Several studies have demonstrated its feasibility and safety, but only a few addressed the long-term benefit of VATS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the short-term and long-term benefits of VATS in @entity764 , with emphasis on the @entity1 's point of view. METHODS: Medical records of @entity1 with @entity764 during a 10-year period were reviewed. The study included 77 @entity1 (37 @entity1 in the VATS group and 40 in the thoracotomy group). Forty-four @entity1 who underwent operative treatment during the study period were excluded from the study. Hospital charts and a telephone questionnaire were used to evaluate the outcome. RESULTS: No @entity204 occurred in either group. Clotted hemothorax was the most common finding. The incidence of wound and @entity358 were higher in the thoracotomy group. @entity1 in the thoracotomy group needed significantly higher doses of narcotic @entity1337 . Average time to resume normal activity was shorter in the VATS group. More than 2 years after discharge, the rate of return to a normal lifestyle was 81% in the VATS group and 60% of the thoracotomy group. @entity1 in the VATS group were generally more satisfied with their health status and surgical scars. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that for stable @entity1 with @entity764 , video assisted thoracic surgery is feasible and safe. Moreover, it is tolerated better than open thoracotomy, has a favorable postoperative course, a superior long-term outcome, and greater @entity1 satisfaction.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of XXXX : long-term benefit.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['Patients', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity1337 :: ('MESH:D000699', 'Disease') :: ['analgesia'] @entity764 :: ('MESH:D013898', 'Disease') :: ['chest trauma'] @entity358 :: ('MESH:D008171', 'Disease') :: ['pulmonary complication'] @entity204 :: ('MESH:D003643', 'Disease') :: ['deaths']
@entity764 :: (MESH:D013898,Disease) :: ['chest trauma']
