Robotic resection of mediastinal masses in children.
OBJECTIVE
Robotic surgery may be particularly well suited for solid chest masses. In this paper, we present our initial experience by using robotic surgery to resect mediastinal masses in children.


METHODS
Five pediatric patients with an average age of 9.8 years (range, 2-17) and an average weight of 41.5 kg (range, 13.9-70.5) underwent a robotic resection of a mediastinal chest mass using the da Vinci Surgical Robot (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA).


RESULTS
Operative time ranged from 44 to 156 minutes, with an average of 113 minutes. The pathology varied considerably and included a ganglioneuroma, ganglioneuroblastoma, teratoma, germ cell tumor, and a large inflammatory mass of unclear etiology. No complications or conversions occurred. Average length of hospitalization was 1.4 days. Follow-up averaged 2 years, with no evidence of recurrence in any patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Robotic surgery is safe and effective for resecting solid mediastinal chest masses. The articulating instruments are particularly helpful for dissecting around a solid mass within the rigid thoracic cavity.
Meehan
John J
JJ
Division of Pediatric Surgery, Seattle Children's Hospital & Regional Medical Center, Seattle, Washington, USA. john.meechem@seattlechildrens.org
Sandler
Anthony D
AD
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000601:surgery; D005729:Ganglioneuroma / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008477:Mediastinal Diseases / Q000601:surgery*; D008479:Mediastinal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000601:surgery; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D013724:Teratoma / Q000601:surgery