Variation in use of video assisted thoracic surgery in the United Kingdom

Sedrakyan, A., van der Meulen, J., Lewsey, J. and Treasure, T. (2004) Variation in use of video assisted thoracic surgery in the United Kingdom. British Medical Journal, 329(7473), pp. 1011-1012. (doi: 10.1136/bmj.329.7473.1011)

Abstract

Video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is a minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis and treatment of lung and pleural disease. Thoracotomy is replaced by up to three small incisions from 0.5 to 2.0 cm long and well lit video images are displayed on large screens, allowing the surgeon, assistants, and students a view. Variation in the use of medical procedures cannot be fully explained by the prevalence of the disease in question or health characteristics of populations. The willingness of the surgeon to provide a procedure, rather than its appropriateness for the patient, may explain a substantial variation in practice. In our companion paper in this issue we systematically reviewed the evidence for VATS for pneumothorax surgery, minor resections, and lobectomy. Here we determine variation in the use of this procedure in UK practice.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Lewsey, Professor Jim
• Authors: Sedrakyan, A., van der Meulen, J., Lewsey, J., and Treasure, T.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine; R Medicine > RD Surgery
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment; College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Medicine, Dentistry & Nursing > Centre for Population and Health Sciences
• Journal Name: British Medical Journal
• Journal Abbr.: BMJ
• Publisher: BMJ Publishing Group
• ISSN: 0959-535X
• ISSN (Online): 1756-1833
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2004 BMJ Publishing Group, London
• First Published: First published in British Medical Journal 329(7473):1011-1012
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher