Thoracoscopic resection of mediastinal bronchogenic cysts in adults.
OBJECTIVE
Bronchogenic cysts are uncommon congenital anomalies of foregut origin usually located within the mediastinum and the lung and rarely diagnosed in adults. Surgical excision is recommended to establish diagnosis based on histologic examination, alleviate symptoms if present, and prevent future complications. Thoracoscopic approach is becoming the primary therapeutic option.


METHODS
Between January 1995 and July 2008, 30 patients with mediastinal bronchogenic cyst (MBC) underwent thoracoscopic operation (19 male, 11 female with a mean age of 39 years, range 19-59 years). Symptoms were present in 11 patients (37).


RESULTS
The cysts averaged 5.2 cm in their greatest diameter (range 3-10.5 cm). In two cases thoracoscopy was converted to thoracotomy because of major pleural adhesions. There were no operative deaths and no intra-operative complications. Postoperative course was uneventful in all cases and the 28 patients who underwent thoracoscopy were discharged after a mean of 3.7 days (range 2-5 days).


CONCLUSIONS
Considering the low conversion and complication rate, thoracoscopic excision of bronchogenic mediastinal cyst should be considered the primary therapeutic option.
University of Rome Sapienza, Department of Surgery and Transplantation, P. Stefanni Thoracic Surgery Policlinoco Umberto I, Viale del Policlinico 155, Rome, Italy. tiziano.degiacomo@tin.it
Tiziano
T
De Giacomo
Daniele
D
Diso
Marco
M
Anile
Federico
F
Venuta
Matilde
M
Rolla
Chiara
C
Ricella
Giorgio Furio
GF
Coloni
D000328:Adult; D001994:Bronchogenic Cyst / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008482:Mediastinum / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult