Video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy / 中国微创外科杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. Methods Eighteen patients with thymic diseases or myasthenia gravis (MG) received video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) of either total thymectomy (7 patients) or extended thymectomy (11 patients with MG) from September 2002 to June 2004. Results Thoracoscopic thymectomy was accomplished in 17 patients and a conversion to open mini-incision (7 cm) operation was needed in 1 patient. Postoperative temporary mechanical ventilation (