Objective To compare the clinical results of transaxillary minithoracotomy(TAMT) and antero/ posterolateral thoracotomy(APLT) in treating primary spontaneous pneumothorax (SP). Methods Seventy-two patients with primary SP were involved in this study. Forty patients were treated by APLT and 32 by TAMT. The operating time、 length of incision. amount of Dolantin used on the postoperative day

duration of the indwelling chest tube and the time of hospitalization were compared. Results The length of incision was 7.6 ±1. 1cm in TAMT and 18.6±2. 1cm in APLT (P< 0.01). The amount of Dolantin used on the postoperative days was 102.8±58.9 mg in TAMT and 243.9±99.1 mg in APLT(P<0.01). The time of hospitalization was 6.4 ±1.3 days in TAMT and 8.9±1.5 days in APLT. There was no case of recurrence in either group. Conclusions TAMT is curative

limits hospitslization

permits rapid retuned to a normal lifestyle

diminishes patients’ pain and is cosmetically acceptable. It fits with today’s trend ofmini-invasive surgical procedures. It is recommended that patients with primary SP should undergo TAMT.