ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the security and efficacy of one stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by uniportal-video-assisted thoracic surgery(VATS) to cure patients with myasthenia gravis(MG).Methods A number of 131 patients with MG who underwent resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by VATS in one single center from February 2009 to December 2013 were selected in this retrospective study.76 patients underwent unilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by three portal VATS from February 2009 to March 2012 and 55 patients underwent one stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by small uniportal-VATS from April 2012 to December 2013.The time for operation,the bleeding volume during operation,the volume of postoperative drainage and drainage time,the improvement of symptoms,the postoperative pain,hospital stays and the occurrence of myasthenia gravis crisis were compared between the two groups.Results The general condition and pathological type did not have significant statistical differences between the two groups.The operating time in the uniportal-VATS group was significantly longer than that in three portal VATS group,but the pain was lighter,and the hospital stay was shorter.There were no significant differences between groups in terms of blood loss,postoperative drainage time,and volume of drainage.The follow-up was from 32 to 90 months,and 118 (90.08％)patients completed the follow up.94.5 ％ of the patients in uniportalVATS group acquired complete stable remission(CSR),while it was 84.2％ in three portal VATS group(P ＜ 0.05),and the uniportal-VATS group had lower rate of myasthenic crisis (P ＜0.05).Conclusion One stage and bilateral resection of thymic tissue and clearance of mediastinal fat by small uniportal-VATS is safe and effective with shorter hospital stay and less pain,and it can get higher CSR and less myasthenic crisis,its efficacy is superior to traditional three portal VATS.