Project description:BackgroundRecent years have seen a trend towards utilizing a video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) approach for treatment of thymoma. Although increasing in practice, intermediate- and long-term oncologic outcome data is lacking for the VATS approach. There is no oncologic data for the uniportal VATS approach. We sought to evaluate the feasibility and impact on patient survival of uniportal VATS thymectomy for early-stage thymoma.MethodThe clinical outcomes for 17 patients with Masaoka stage I to II thymomas treated between January of 2009 and July of 2014 at a single institution were collected retrospectively. Primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and secondary endpoint was recurrence-free survival (RFS).ResultsTen women and seven men underwent uniportal VATS thymectomy; eleven had stage I thymoma and six had stage II thymoma. There were no conversions to open surgery. Operative mortality was zero. Mean tumor size was 3.8±1.0 centimeters, with a range of 1.9 to 6.0 centimeters. All patients underwent a R0 resection. Five-year survival was 100%, and the estimated RFS was 100%.ConclusionsOur findings suggest that uniportal VATS thymectomy for early-stage thymoma is feasible, and the intermediate-term oncologic outcomes are comparable to historic standards for open and multi-incision VATS thymectomy. However, additional follow-up is required to evaluate for long-term oncologic outcomes.
Project description:ObjectiveSubxiphoid-subcostal thoracoscopic thymectomy (ST) is an emerging alternative to transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy. Potential advantages of ST are the avoidance of intercostal incisions and visualization of both phrenic nerves in their entirety. We describe our experience with ST and compare our results to our previous experience with transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy.MethodsWe conducted an institutional review board-exempt retrospective review of all patients who had a minimally invasive thymectomy from August 2008 to October 2021. We excluded patients with a previous sternotomy or radiological evidence of invasion into major vasculature. The ST approach involved 1 subxiphoid port for initial access, 2 subcostal ports on each side, and carbon dioxide insufflation. We used descriptive and comparative statistics on demographic, operative, and postoperative data.ResultsWe performed ST in 40 patients and transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy in 16 patients. The median age was higher in the ST group (58 years vs 34 years; P = .02). Operative data showed no significant differences in operative times, blood loss, or tumor characteristics. In the ST group, we had 2 emergency conversions for bleeding; 1 ministernotomy, and 1 sternotomy. Postoperative data showed that the ST group had fewer days with a chest tube (1 day vs 2.5 days; P = .02). There were no differences in median length of stay, tumor characteristics, final margins, major complication rate, and opioid requirements between the groups. There has been no incidence of diaphragmatic hernia and no phrenic nerve injuries or mortality in either group.ConclusionsST is safe and has similar outcomes compared with transthoracic thoracoscopic thymectomy.
Project description:BackgroundThe approaches to thoracoscopic thymectomy in myasthenia gravis (MG) are debatable. We developed a novel approach via subxiphoid and subcostal arch, with a significantly shorter duration of operation and hospital stay, less estimated blood loss, and lower postoperative pain.MethodsFrom December 2012 to December 2014, 77 myasthenia gravis patients with or without thymoma underwent thoracoscopic extended thymectomy at our hospital. Among them, 41 patients were operated via the subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach and the other 36 via the conventional unilateral approach. The patient outcomes were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated.ResultsThe thoracoscopic extended thymectomy was performed safely via the subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach. In this approach, no drainage tube was inserted after operation except in the first two patients. Two of the 41 patients were switched to trans-sternal approach due to the tight adhesion between the thymoma and the left innominate vein. No major complications occurred. Compared with the unilateral approach, the duration of the procedure via subxiphoid and subcostal arch was significantly shorter, with less estimated blood loss, shorter hospital-stay and lower postoperative pain (P<0.001). The cosmetic scores were comparable between the two groups (P=0.369).ConclusionsThe novel subxiphoid and subcostal arch approach is technically feasible and safe. It is an acceptable alternative to conventional thoracoscopic extended thymectomy.
Project description:In this paper, I present the technique of subxiphoid single-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) thymectomy for thoracic surgeons to perform this procedure safely. This procedure is indicated for all anterior mediastinal masses and may be extended to lung cancer. The patient is placed in the lithotomy position, and the operator should be on the midline. Below the xiphoid process, a skin incision is made 4-5 cm horizontally at a single thumb's width down. Under two-lung ventilation, CO2 is insufflated, maintaining 10 mm Hg. The fat tissue and thymic tissue are all resected from the sternum and pericardium between both phrenic nerves using an articulated grasper and an energy device. After retrieval of the mass with a wrap bag, a Jackson-Pratt drain is inserted instead of a chest tube. One of the advantages of this procedure is less postoperative pain than intercostal VATS. The subxiphoid approach can be used for bilateral pneumothorax, bilateral pulmonary metastasectomy, and simple lobectomy for both upper lobes and the right middle lobe.
Project description:BackgroundApproaches of thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis (MG) are debatable. The subxiphoid approach is widely utilized recent years for its better visualization of the anterior mediastinum. In the present study, we compared perioperative outcomes and mid-term effects of the extended thymectomy for MG between the subxiphoid approach and the routine right-thoracic approach.MethodsOne hundred and thirty-one MG patients treated with thoracoscopic extended thymectomy were analyzed. Among them, 68 patients were operated on via the subxiphoid approach and the other 63 via the conventional right-side unilateral approach. The patient outcomes were retrospectively reviewed and evaluated. Mid-term clinical outcome was assessed according to the classification system proposed by the Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America (MGFA). Clinical efficacy and variables influencing outcome were evaluated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazards regression analysis.ResultsCompared with the right thoracic approach, the duration of the procedure via the subxiphoid approach was significantly shorter (P=0.035), the rates of total thymectomy were higher (P=0.028), and the pain scores on postoperative days 1, 3, and 7 were significantly lower (P<0.001, P<0.001, and P=0.03, respectively). A total of 112 patients with MG were followed up. The subxiphoid approach group reported higher rates of complete stable remission (CSR) and effective treatment of MG, although these differences were not statistically significant (Z=-0.484, P=0.627). By multivariate Cox proportional hazards modes analysis, the chance of CSR was significantly increased when age <40 (OR: 2.623, 95% CI: 1.150-5.983, P=0.022), non-thymomatous MG (OR: 1.078, 95% CI: 1.101-3.316, P=0.021) and MGFA clinical classification (OR: 2.024, 95%:1.164-3.523, P=0.013).ConclusionsThe subxiphoid approach has shorter operation time, higher rates of total thymectomy and better quality of life compared with the lateral thoracoscopic approach. Preoperative age, pathological diagnoses and MGFA Clinical Classification are the independent risk factors for non-complete stable remission (NCSR) after thymectomy.
Project description:BackgroundCompletion thymectomy may be performed in patients with non-thymomatous refractory myasthenia gravis (MG) to allow a complete and definitive clearance from residual thymic tissue located in the mediastinum or in lower neck. Hereby we present our short- and long-term results of completion thymectomy using subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopy.MethodsBetween July 2010 and December 2017, 15 consecutive patients with refractory non-thymomatous myasthenia, 8 women and 7 men with a median age of 44 [interquartile range (IQR) 38.5-53.5] years, underwent video-thoracoscopic completion thymectomy through a subxiphoid approach.ResultsPositron emission tomography (PET) showed mildly avid areas [standardized uptake value (SUV) more than or equal to 1.8] in 11 instances. Median operative time was 106 (IQR, 77-141) minutes. No operative deaths nor major morbidity occurred. Mean 1-day postoperative Visual Analogue Scale value was 2.53±0.63. Median hospital stay was 2 (IQR, 1-3.5) days. A significant decrease of the anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies was observed after 1 month [median percentage changes -67% (IQR, -39% to -83%)]. Median follow-up was 45 (IQR, 21-58) months. At the most recent follow-up complete stable remission was achieved in 5 patients. Another 9 patients had significant improvement in bulbar and limb function, requiring lower doses of corticosteroids and anticholinesterase drugs. Only one patient remained clinically stable albeit drug doses were reduced. One-month postoperative drop of anti-acetylcholine receptor antibodies was significantly correlated with complete stable remission (P=0.002).ConclusionsThis initial experience confirms that removal of ectopic and residual thymus through a subxiphoid approach can reduce anti-acetylcholine receptor antibody titer correlating to good outcome of refractory MG.
Project description:BackgroundWe previously reported on subxiphoid uniportal thymectomy (SUT) and subxiphoid robotic thymectomy (SRT). This descriptive study aimed to evaluate the feasibility and safety of both SUT and SRT techniques.MethodsBetween March 2011 and December 2022, 268 patients underwent subxiphoid thymectomy. In cases demonstrating no evidence of invasion into other organs, SUT was selected due to its minimal invasiveness. In cases where the tumor was in contact with the innominate vein or those with suspected invasion into other organs, SRT with additional intercostal ports was selected due to the enhanced operability provided by the robotic system. The patients' backgrounds and the perioperative outcomes of each technique were evaluated.ResultsSUT was performed in 207 patients, while SRT was performed in 61 patients. In the SUT group, 15 patients required an additional intercostal port, and 2 patients required a median sternotomy; the SUT completion rate was 91.78%. The median operative time was 117.00 [interquartile range (IQR), 88.00-148.50] min, with a median blood loss of 5.00 (IQR, 1.00-5.00) mL. Combined resection was performed in 11 (5.31%) patients, and postoperative complications were observed in 4 patients (1.93%). None of the patients in the SRT group required median sternotomy. The median operative time was 203.00 (IQR, 158.00-278.00) min, with a median blood loss of 5.00 (IQR, 5.00-22.00) mL. Combined resection was performed in 14 patients (22.95%), and postoperative complications were observed in 5 patients (8.20%). No mortalities occurred in either group.ConclusionsSubxiphoid thymectomy is a safe and feasible technique for both early and advanced stages of the disease requiring complex surgical procedures.
Project description:BackgroundWith advances in thoracoscopic surgical instruments and techniques, subxiphoid video-assisted thoracic surgery (S-VATS) has become the main approach for anterior mediastinal tumor resection under thoracoscopy. However, the drawbacks of S-VATS, including it being a relatively unfixed surgical procedure, make it complicated and difficult for unexperienced surgeons to master.MethodsThis study retrospectively reviewed and analyzed consecutive patients with anterior mediastinal tumor or myasthenia gravis (MG) who underwent S-VATS at the Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, China, between March 2015 and April 2019.Patients were divided into the conventional group and the "four-zone one-way" group. Intraoperative and postoperative variables were compared between the groups. Cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis was applied to determine the operation time (OT)-learning curve of the S-VATS "four-zone one-way" method.ResultsA total of 82 patients were included in this analysis, of which, 40 patients underwent the conventional method of S-VATS and 42 patients underwent the "four-zone one-way" method. Patients in the "four-zone one-way" group had significantly shorter OT (138.50±29.43 and 118.00±28.18 minutes, respectively; P=0.002) and significantly less blood loss (36.00±20.16 and 23.92±14.96 mL, respectively; P=0.003) compared with patients in the conventional group. Our data indicated that there was no difference of the efficacy of MG treatment between the 2 groups. The difference in the preoperative and postoperative quantitative MG scoring system score (QMG-score) and the dose reduction of cholinesterase inhibitors was comparable between patients in the 2 groups. According to the CUSUM analysis curve, after a steady improvement over phase I (cases 1-12 for the traditional method and cases 1-5 for the "four-zone one-way" method), the surgical procedure could be mastered. Phase III occurred after case 26 in the traditional group and case 28 in the "four-zone one-way" group, and is characterized by rapid improvements.ConclusionsCompared with the conventional method of S-VATS, the "four-zone one-way" method significantly decreased OT and estimated blood loss. These results demonstrated the feasibility and safety of the "four-zone one-way" method of S-VATS.