| Procedure | Pain | Exposure | Lung palpation | Postoperative respiratory compromise | Wound complication | Adhesions |
| VATS | (+) | (++) | (+) | (+) | ||
| Thoracotomy | (+++) | (+++) | (+++) | (+++) | (+) | (+++) |
| Sternotomy | (++) | (+) | (+++) | (+) | (++)* | (+++) |
| Clamshell | (++++) | (++++) | (++++) | (++++) | (++)* | (+++) |
