Adjuvant pneumomediastinum in thoracoscopic thymectomy for myasthenia gravis.
To facilitate initial visualization and subsequent mobilization of the thymus, adjuvant pneumomediastinum was preoperatively induced in 4 patients who underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy. Neither mortality nor technique-related morbidity was observed. This experience shows video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy to be a safe and reliable procedure. In addition, we believe that adjuvant pneumomediastinum seems to facilitate the dissection maneuvers and could shorten operative time.
Mineo
T C
TC
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Tor Vergata University School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
Pompeo
E
E
Ambrogi
V
V
Sabato
A F
AF
Bernardi
G
G
Casciani
C U
CU
D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery*; D011012:Pneumomediastinum, Diagnostic / Q000379:methods*; D013906:Thoracoscopy; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D014741:Video Recording