Video assisted thoracic surgery vs. thoracotomy regarding postoperative chronic pain

Postoperative pain after major thoracic surgery still continues to be a main clinical issue for surgeons and patients. Advances in operative techniques and medical care show an obvious shift towards minimal invasive thoracic surgery (1). Faster recovery and reduction of operative trauma are the key factors pushing surgeons towards minimal invasive procedures (2). Nevertheless, the scientific proof regarding the benefits of video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for anatomical lung resections is still limited undoubtedly.