title: Thoracoscopic vs open resection of congenital lung lesions: a meta-analysis.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Several comparative studies are published evaluating both the open and the minimally invasive approaches for congenital lung lesions with inconsistent results. Our objective was to compare both procedures using systematic review and meta-analysis methodology.
  
  
  METHODS
  All publications describing both interventions were reviewed. The statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5 software (Cochrane library).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No randomized trials were identified. Six retrospective studies were identified and were included in this study. There was no significant difference in overall complication rates between both techniques. Lengths of hospital stay as well as days with chest tube in place were longer with the open approach. There was no difference in the duration of surgery. Postoperative pain management was heterogeneous between studies. No study looked at long-term follow-up. Subgroup analysis for congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation of the lung was done.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results suggest no differences between thoracotomy versus thoracoscopy for congenital lung lesions with respect to overall complications and the duration of surgery. However, length of hospital stay and days with chest tube in place were longer after the open approach. Thoracoscopic resection is a safe and feasible alternative to open resection of congenital lung lesions in experienced hands.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatric Surgery, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. anasr@cheo.on.ca
authors.forename: Ahmed
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nasr
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bass
mesh_terms: D015615:Cystic Adenomatoid Malformation of Lung, Congenital / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008168:Lung / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000601:surgery; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013908:Thoracotomy; D016896:Treatment Outcome