The Figure-L Unilateral Transternal Incisions for the Treatment of Anterior Mediastinal Tumor / 医学研究杂志

ABSTRACT

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.