Video-assisted thoracic surgery versus pleural drainage in the management of the first episode of primary spontaneous pneumothorax

The authors evaluated VATS vs pleural drainage for initial primary spontaneous pneumothorax in 122 pts, evaluating costs and QOL.  Costs for VATS were half of those for pleural drainage.  Quality adjusted life years were better for VATS.  The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for VATS was 7,600 euros at 1 year and 10,000 euros at 5 years, well within the acceptable range.