Thirty-four patients underwent 39 subaxillary minithoracotomies for the treatment of primary spontaneous pneumothorax from June 1987 to April 1992. The age of patients ranged from 17 to 32 years. The ratio of male to female was 8.8: 1 with male predominance. The associated pulmonary lesions and pleural adhesion were not seen on the chest X-rays in all cases. Average operative time was 83 minutes[30~130 min]. Postoperative average duration of air leakage was 2.4 days, the chest tube indwelling was 5.1 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 8 days, Analgegics were not given for pain control postoperatively In conclusion, the subaxillary minithoracotomy has the following advantages: reducing the operative time, postoperative pain, morbidity, hospital stay, shoulder problems, and excellent cosmetic result.