Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Resection of Posterior Mediastinal Benign Neurogenic Tumors:An Analysis of 40 Cases / 中国微创外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic value of video-assisted thoracoscopy in treating posterior mediastinal benign neurogenic tumors.Methods From May 1994 to May 2006,40 patients received thoracoscopic resection of posterior mediastinal benign neurogenic tumor.Double lumen endotrocheal intubation was applied and 3 trocars were placed according to the location of the tumor.A mini-incision was used if the tumor was too large to be safely resected.Results The complete resections were successfully finished in 34 cases while the remaining 6 cases needed a 6 cm mini-incision to complete the surgery.Pathological examination showed 20 cases of neurilemoma,14 cases of neurofibroma,and 6 cases of paraganglioma.The average diameter of these tumors was 4.7 cm(range2-12 cm).The average thoracic drainage time was 2.2 days(1-7 days).And the average postoperative hospital stay was 4.8 days(3-13 days).Only 2 cases experienced minor complications.There was no death in this study.The time of follow-up was 9 months to 12 years,in which 16 cases were followed for less than 3 years,12 cases for 3-5 years and 7 cases for over 5 years,5 cases lost contact.Only one patient received re-resection due to local recurrence.Conclusions Video-assisted thoracoscopic resection of posterior mediastinal benign neurogenic tumor is safe,reliable and minimally invasive,and can thus be regarded as the therapy of first choice.