title: Thoracoscopic resection of neurogenic tumors in children.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of thoracoscopy in neurogenic tumors in infants and children.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January 2000 to October 2005, 21 patients aged 7 months to 14 years (mean, 6 years) underwent thoracoscopy for tumor resection in 5 French institutions. One 10-mm optical port and 2 operative 5-mm ports were needed. Selective intubation was required for 3 patients aged about 12 years. Tumor was removed with an endoscopic bag in all cases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  All procedures were completed successfully without any incomplete resection or recurrence. One conversion was necessary because of a huge mass. A chest tube was left for a mean of 2 days for 17 children. Two children had not had any drainage. Two postoperative chylothorax required chest drainage for 12 days. Only 5 of the 6 older patients (mean age, 12 years) needed a patient-controlled analgesia. The mean operative time was about 100 minutes. Hospital stay ranged from 4 to 12 days. Tumors were neuroblastoma or ganglioneuroblastoma in 16 cases and ganglioneuroma in the 5 other cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Thoracoscopy for resection of thoracic neurogenic tumors in children is a feasible, safe, and efficient procedure. The surgeon has a better visualization of the tumor and its anatomic connections. Resection can be as complete as an open procedure without having to complicate the operative technique in the same operating time. It avoids cosmetic and functional disorders because of thoracotomy. It allows a good cosmetic resection without spillage.
authors.affiliation: Paediatric Surgery Department, University of Strasbourg, France. isatalon@free.fr
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Lacreuse
authors.forename: Jean Stéphane
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Valla
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: de Lagausie
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Varlet
authors.forename: Yves
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Héloury
authors.forename: Guy
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Temporal
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bastier
authors.forename: François
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Becmeur
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D015505:Chest Tubes; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery; D016259:Genes, myc; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D011031:Pneumothorax, Artificial; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013899:Thoracic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000601:surgery*; D013906:Thoracoscopy