title: Reversed-T upper mini-sternotomy for extended thymectomy in myasthenic patients.
abstract: A minimally invasive approach for extended thymectomy in myasthenic patients is described. Through an 8- to 10-cm midline skin incision with a reversed-T upper mini-sternotomy, an extended thymectomy was performed. The mediastinal fat was removed beginning from the diaphragm up to the thyroid gland, and to each phrenic nerve, laterally. Extended thymectomy through a reversed-T upper mini-sternotomy warrants complete excision of thymic tissue while allowing a short hospitalization and good cosmetic result.
authors.affiliation: Thorax Center, University Hospital of Groningen, The Netherlands. j.g.grandjean@thorax.azg.nl
authors.forename: J G
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Grandjean
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lucchi
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Mariani
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery*; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013945:Thymoma / Q000601:surgery*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*