Efficacy and Cost of Awake Thoracoscopy and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery in the Undiagnosed Pleural Effusion

Awake thoracoscopy and VATS have similar diagnostic yield and safety profiles in the assessment of undiagnosed pleural effusions; however, AT is associated with shorter length of stay and lower average per-procedure cost. In the appropriate clinical setting, AT may be the diagnostic test of choice.