ABSTRACT
【Objective】 To compare and analyze clinical efficacy and safety of subxiphoid vs. intercostal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymic tumor resection. 【Methods】 We selected 124 patients from January 2015 to March 2019, who received VATS thymic tumor resection in the Thoracic Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University. We divided them into the subxiphoid VATS group with 47 cases and intercostal VATS group with 77 cases to analyze clinical characteristics, postoperation outcomes, complications, pain score, and short-term quality of life. 【Results】 There were no significant differences in operation time, blood loss, the rate of postoperative pneumonia, arrhythmia, phrenic nerve paralysis or myasthenia crisis between the two groups (P>0.05). Average hospital stay: It was shorter in subxiphoid VATS group than intercostal VATS group (P<0.05). Pain score: It was lower the first day and the third day after operation in subxiphoid VATS group than in intercostal VATS group (P<0.05). SF-36 health scale score: 3-month and 12-month postoperation score was higher in subxiphoid VATS group than in intercostal VATS group (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Subxiphoid VATS thymic tumor resection is safe and feasible; compared with intercostal approach, it can significantly reduce wound pain and improve short-term quality of life.