Objective:To compare the clinical results of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with transaxillary minithoracotomy (TAMT) for the treatment of spontaneous pneumothorax (SP).Methods:Thirty patients were treated by VATS and 43 by TAMT.The consumed time of the operation

duration of the chest drainage

the amount of the chest drainage

the percentage of the patient without using anodyne within the postoperative 24 hour and the average time of hospitalization were compared.Results:The consumed time of the operation

the duration of the chest drainage and the average time of hospitalization were significantly shorter in group VATS than in group TAMT ( P <0.05).Amount of the chest drainage was dramatically less in group VATS than in group TAMT ( P <0.05).Percentage of patient stopped using anodyne within the postoperative 24 hours was strikingly more increased in group VATS ( P <0.05).Conclusion:VATS is curative and has many advantage

for example:minimal invasion

fewer bleeding

less pain

shorter operating time and hospitalization

quick recovery.We suggest that VATS is first choice for SP.