title: Cosmetic approach to anterior mediastinal masses.
abstract: A new approach for the removal of thymic tissue or any anterior mediastinal pathology is described. It uses a novel low U-shaped skin incision combined with a J-shaped upper mini-sternotomy. This technique was designed to provide wide exposure of the mediastinum and to be cosmetically appealing. Our study included 12 patients, 4 with a preoperative diagnosis of myasthenia gravis. There were no operative mortality and three complications. This procedure allows for complete removal of all thymic tissue under direct vision, and is less invasive that full sternotomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana 70122, USA.
authors.forename: Charles F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Bellows
authors.forename: Renee S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Hartz
authors.forename: Carey
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Cullinane
authors.forename: John D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Pigott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000601:surgery; D013249:Sternum / Q000601:surgery; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods; D013945:Thymoma / Q000601:surgery; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000502:physiology*