Patient perspectives on open vs. minimally invasive thoracic surgery (PPOMITS): survey and experience from a single academic institution

Background: Despite the widespread acceptance of safety and oncologic equivalence of minimally invasive thoracic surgery, adoption by thoracic surgeons is lagging. Patient perspectives on minimally invasive thoracic surgery versus open surgical approaches has not been well studied. The aim of this survey was to document patient perspective on pain, complication risks, cosmesis, travel burden, and functional outcomes and their relationship to surgical approach.