Quality of Life after Lung Cancer Surgery: Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery versus Thoracotomy

Objective : To assess the benefit of video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), we compared time-related quality of life (QOL) after lobectomy performed by VATS to that performed by thoracotomy. Methods : Thirty-three patients underwent surgery for lung cancer during the period April 2001 through November 2002 completed a mailed questionnaire after surgery. Results : Over time, improved QOL was reported in six dimensions by VATS patients but in only two dimensions by thoracotomy patients. There was significant improvement in bodily pain subscores in both groups during the 36 months after surgery. At 3 months after surgery, QOL scores for all eight dimensions were lower in the VATS group, but QOL scores for all eight dimensions did not differ significant between groups at 3 or 12 months after surgery. At 36 months after surgery, QOL scores for six dimensions were higher in the VATS group, and the difference was significant in scores for two dimensions. Conclusion : We found recovery was quicker in patients who underwent VATS than in those who underwent thoracotomy.