RESUMEN
Objective To explore the feasibility of the small figure-L unilateral transternal incision for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumor and cyst.Methods Eighteen patients with anterior mediastinal tumor or cyst were enrolled in the study.Under general anesthenia,after a 8to 10 cm middle skin incision was made,a unilateral figure-L partial sternotomy on the side occupied by the tumors was made in the third or forth intercostals space,taking into account the tumors size and location.Tumors were resected with excellent exposure.Results All but one tumors were completely resected during the operation.In 3 cases,tumors encroached on the adjacent lung tissue,and lung tissue was partially resected.In 2cases,tumors invaded the pericardium,and the pericardium was partially removed.Mean operating time was 120 minutes(80~140 minutes).The mean time of hospital stay was 10 days after the operation,and there was no complications.All patients were alive with a mean follow-up period of 24months(8~36 months).Conclusions The figure-L unilateral sternotomy is an effective and useful minimally invisive approach for anterior mediastinal tumors.
RESUMEN
Objective To explore the feasibility of the small figure-L unilateral transternal incision for the treatment of anterior mediastinal tumor.Methods Twenty patients with anterior mediastinal tumor were enrolled in the study.Under general anesthenai,after a 6 to 10cm middle skin incision was made,a unilateral figure-L partial sternotomy on the side occupied by the tumor was made in the second or third intercostals space,taking into account the tumor size and location.Tumors were resected with excellent exposure.Results All tumors were completely resected during the operation.In 7 cases,tumors encroached on the adjacent lung tissue,and lung tissue was partially resected.In 5 cases,tumors invaded the pericardium,and the pericardium was partially removed.Mean operating time was 110 minutes(85～130 minutes).The mean time of hospital stay was 7days after the operation,and there was no complication.All but one patients were alive with a mean follow-up period of 18 months(6～27 months).Conclusions The figure-L unilateral sternotomy is considered as an effective and useful minimally invisive approach for anterior mediastinal tumors.