Study designs of evaluations included in the review
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible for inclusion in the review.
Specific interventions included in the review
Studies of video-assisted thoracic surgery compared with conventional surgery for pneumothorax, minor resection, or lobectomy were eligible for inclusion. Studies where another experimental medication or device was used concurrently were excluded from the review. The comparison groups included in the review were conventional thoracotomy (7 studies), pleural drainage (2 studies) and conventional lobectomy (3 studies).
Participants included in the review
Studies of general thoracic surgery patients were eligible for inclusion. Patients with lung disease requiring pneumothorax surgery, minor resection, or lobectomy for conditions including pneumothorax, interstitial disease, and solitary or multiple nodules were included in the review. The mean ages of the participants included in the review were 34 years (pneumothorax surgery), 50 years (minor resection) and 63 years (lobectomy).
Outcomes assessed in the review
The following outcomes were eligible for inclusion in the review: recurrence of disease or failure (for pneumothorax surgery), surgery time, measurement of pain and medication for pain, major complications, length of hospital stay, and costs.
How were decisions on the relevance of primary studies made?
The authors stated that studies were reviewed independently for relevance, but did not state how many reviewers performed the selection.