HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Personal Folders Download to citation manager Permission Requests Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Roviaro, G. Articles by Scalambra, S. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Roviaro, G. Articles by Scalambra, S. M.

The Annals of Thoracic Surgery, Vol 58, 1679-1683, Copyright © 1994 by The Society of Thoracic Surgeons

ARTICLES

Videothoracoscopic excision of mediastinal masses: indications and technique

G Roviaro, C Rebuffat, F Varoli, C Vergani, M Maciocco and SM Scalambra
Department of Surgery, S. Giuseppe Hospital, University of Milan, Italy.

Mediastinal masses are generally excised through wide thoracotomies or median sternotomies. These lesions are often benign, usually asymptomatic, discovered incidentally, and relatively easy to resect. For these reasons, a minimally invasive approach is appropriate. Videothoracoscopy allows an optimal exploration of the pleural cavity and a panoramic view of the mass. Dissection is usually easy to perform, and the mass can be extracted from the thorax through a trocar incision or through a limited "utility thoracotomy." To avoid possible tumor seeding, the mass is inserted in a plastic bag before extraction. From September 1991 to January 30, 1994, 20 mediastinal masses (6 thymomas, 2 thymic cysts, 1 hyperplastic thymus, 1 fibrous tumor of the mediastinum, 2 pleuropericardial cysts, 2 thoracic teratomas, 2 large thoracic lipomas, 3 neurogenic tumors, and 1 bronchogenic cyst) were removed through such a minimally invasive approach. Eighteen patients had an uneventful postoperative course. Two patients hemorrhaged in the immediate postoperative period, and repeat thoracoscopy was done. In 1 patient, electrocoagulation of a bleeding intercostal artery controlled the hemorrhage. In the other, the source of bleeding could not be found, and removal of the clots and irrigation of the cavity stopped the hemorrhage. Further data and long-term follow-up are necessary, but videothoracoscopy offers a new, less invasive approach for the management of noninvasive mediastinal masses.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. B. C C. Neto, M. C. Machado, F. Mesquita, N. R. de Castro Musolino, A. C. Toscanini, G. Ochman, V. A. S Cescato, R. Marino Jr, and M. J. Teixeira Thymus hyperplasia after resolution of hypercortisolism in ACTH-dependent Cushing's syndrome: the importance of thymic vein catheterization. Eur. J. Endocrinol., June 1, 2006; 154(6): 807 - 811. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				Y.-J. Cheng, E.-L. Kao, and S.-H. Chou Videothoracoscopic Resection of Stage II Thymoma: Prospective Comparison of the Results Between Thoracoscopy and Open Methods Chest, October 1, 2005; 128(4): 3010 - 3012. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J. Bodner, H. Wykypiel, A. Greiner, W. Kirchmayr, M. C. Freund, R. Margreiter, and T. Schmid Early experience with robot-assisted surgery for mediastinal masses Ann. Thorac. Surg., July 1, 2004; 78(1): 259 - 265. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Aubert, P. Chaffanjon, and P.-Y. Brichon Video-assisted extended thymectomy in patients with thymoma by lifting the sternum: is it safe? Ann. Thorac. Surg., May 1, 2004; 77(5): 1878 - 1878. [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Yoshino, M. Hashizume, M. Shimada, M. Tomikawa, and K. Sugimachi Video-assisted thoracoscopic extirpation of a posterior mediastinal mass using the da Vinci computer enhanced surgical system Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 2002; 74(4): 1235 - 1237. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				I. Yoshino, M. Hashizume, M. Shimada, M. Tomikawa, M. Tomiyasu, R. Suemitsu, and K. Sugimachi Thoracoscopic thymomectomy with the da Vinci computer-enhanced surgical system J. Thorac. Cardiovasc. Surg., October 1, 2001; 122(4): 783 - 785. [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. B. Johnson, T. Y. Eng, G. Giaccone, and C. R. Thomas Jr. Thymoma: Update for the New Millenium Oncologist, June 1, 2001; 6(3): 239 - 246. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. M. I. Cirino, J. R. Milanez de Campos, A. Fernandez, M. N. Samano, P. P. Fernandez, L. T. B. Filomeno, and F. B. Jatene Diagnosis and Treatment of Mediastinal Tumors by Thoracoscopy Chest, June 1, 2000; 117(6): 1787 - 1792. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G. Roviaro, F. Varoli, O. Nucca, C. Vergani, and M. Maciocco Videothoracoscopic Approach to Primary Mediastinal Pathology Chest, April 1, 2000; 117(4): 1179 - 1183. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				P. Guillem, H. Porte, M.-C. Copin, and D. Chevallier A case of giant chondrosarcoma of the cricoid cartilage presenting as a superior mediastinal tumour Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., November 1, 1999; 14(5): 520 - 522. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				C. R. Thomas, C. D. Wright, and P. J. Loehrer Thymoma: State of the Art J. Clin. Oncol., July 1, 1999; 17(7): 2280 - 2280. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				L. Solaini, P. Bagioni, A. Campanini, and B. D. Poddie Diagnostic role of videothoracoscopy in mediastinal diseases Eur. J. Cardiothorac. Surg., May 1, 1999; 13(5): 491 - 493. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				D.-G. Cho and M.-S. Kwack Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Closure of the Delayed Bronchial Rupture After Thoracoscopic Resection of Mediastinal Bronchogenic Cyst Chest, January 1, 1999; 115(1): 257 - 259. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				G C Roviaro, M Maciocco, F Varoli, C Rebuffat, C Vergani, and A Scarduelli Videothoracoscopic treatment of oesophageal leiomyoma Thorax, March 1, 1998; 53(3): 190 - 192. [Abstract] [Full Text]

				G. Roviaro, F. Varoli, C. Vergani, M. Maciocco, B. Crespi, and A. Battilana Thoracoscopic Thymectomy Surgical Innovation, December 1, 1997; 4(4): 219 - 222. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Mack and R. Landreneau Thoracoscopy for the Diseases of the Mediastinum Including Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis Surgical Innovation, December 1, 1996; 3(4): 245 - 252. [Abstract] [PDF]

				M. Riquet, J. Mouroux, F. Pons, D. Debrosse, A. Dujon, M. Dahan, and R. Jancovici Videothoracoscopic Excision of Thoracic Neurogenic Tumors Ann. Thorac. Surg., October 1, 1995; 60(4): 943 - 946. [Abstract] [Full Text]