Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for complex mediastinal mass resections

Long-term outcome in mediastinal malignancies: video-assisted thoracoscopic versus open surgery

Purpose

There are not many studies comparing long-term oncological outcomes between video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) and open surgery for mediastinal malignancies. This study aimed to compare perioperative and long-term outcomes of these two techniques in the treatment of mediastinal malignancies.

Methods

This is a retrospective study: patients with mediastinal malignancies underwent VATS or open surgery from 2010 to 2013 and were followed until 2019. The primary endpoints were long-term oncological outcomes, including tumor recurrence and mortality. Secondary endpoints were perioperative outcomes (operative duration, blood loss, pain, chest drainage duration, hospital length of stay, and complications).

Results

There were 36 patients in the VATS group and 49 patients in the open group. The median follow-up duration was 90 months. VATS significantly reduced operation time (84.6 versus 124.8 min), blood loss (59.8 versus 235.2 ml), postoperative pain score (4.9 versus 6.7), the duration of chest tube drainage (2.1 versus 3.1 days), and postoperative hospital stay (5.2 versus 8.0 days). The two groups were comparable regarding the recurrence rate (2.4 versus 2.1/100 person-years) and mortality rate (0.8 versus 0.9/100 person-years).

Conclusion

Compared with open surgery, VATS is less traumatic, reduces postoperative chest drainage, and shortens hospital stay with comparable long-term oncological outcomes. We advocate the VATS approach as a favored option for the resection of mediastinal malignancies.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for the treatment of mediastinal lymph node tuberculous abscesses

The mediastinal lymph node tuberculous abscesses (MLNTAs) are secondary to mediastinal tuberculous lymphadenitis. Surgical excision is often required when cold abscesses form. This study was aimed to examine video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of MLNTA. Clinical data of 16 MLNTA patients who were treated in our hospital between December 1, 2013 and December 1, 2015 were retrospectively analyzed. All of the patients underwent the radical debridement and drainage of abscesses, and intrathoracic lesions were removed by VATS. They were also administered the intensified anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), and engaged in normal physical activity and follow-up for 3 to 6 months. The results showed that VATS was successfully attempted in all of the 16 MLNTA patients and they all had good recovery. Two patients developed complications after surgery, with one patient developing recurrent laryngeal nerve injury, and the other reporting poor wound healing. It was concluded that VATS is easy to perform, and safe, and has high rates of success and relatively few side-effects when used to treat MLNTA.

An alternative approach for addressing mediastinal tumours through mini-invasive surgery

INTRODUCTION

The treatment of choice for mediastinal tumours is surgical, with the standard approach being sternotomy. Because of the invasive nature of this procedure, the management of these masses through mini-invasive surgery has become an alternative method.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

We report the case of a woman with a mediastinum tumour and a new technique used for resection, through an inframammary left incision, using a Thoratrak rib spreader and Rultract Skyhook retractor assisted by a video.

DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION

This approach allows a complete visualization of the mediastinum and total dissection of the tumour safely around vascular and nervous structures. The pain is minimal because there is no real rib spread but instead an anterior displacement of the upper rib. This is the first reported case of resection of a mediastinum tumour by inframammary approach using a Thoratrak rib spreader and Rultract Skyhook.

Left video-assisted thoracic surgery thymectomy

Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) for the management of non-thymomatous myasthenia gravis (MG) as well as the management of small thymomas and other benign thymic pathology has been gaining in acceptance and popularity as an alternative to the traditional median sternotomy approach. Although VATS thymectomy has been described in several variations, our current preference is a left sided VATS approach due to the exposure it provides in critical areas of dissection. Here we describe our technique for the left sided VATS thymectomy including patient selection, preoperative preparation, operative steps, and postoperative care. We also share pitfalls and tips to prevent them at each step of the procedure learned from our experience with this approach.

Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for complex mediastinal mass resections

Minimally invasive surgery has changed the way operative procedures are performed in many specialties. As surgeons have become progressively facile with these techniques, the opportunities to use them have expanded. In thoracic surgery, many surgeons now use minimally invasive techniques to resect small, uncomplicated pathologies of the mediastinum as well as to perform thymectomy for myasthenia gravis. Experience with these techniques has allowed new knowledge to be gained and expansion of the use of these techniques for more complicated mediastinal pathology. This keynote address will outline the instrumentation and techniques that we have adopted over a decade of using these techniques for more complicated mediastinal pathology.