Comparison of open and minimally invasive thymectomies at a single institution.
BACKGROUND
Most thymectomies are performed via sternotomy. Minimally invasive thymectomy (MIT) has been described but its potential benefits and drawbacks remain unclear.


METHODS
A retrospective chart review comparing thymectomies performed via sternotomy to MIT at a single institution between 2005 and 2009.


RESULTS
Eight patients underwent MIT and 8 patients underwent sternotomy in the management of myasthenia gravis, thymic hyperplasia, or small thymic tumors. There was 1 perioperative death unrelated to the surgical procedure and no morbidity. The surgical time, estimated blood loss, and chest tube output was similar in both groups. The average hospital stay for MIT was 2.4 days compared with 4.3 days for sternotomy. One MIT patient remained on narcotic pain medication 2 weeks after surgery compared with 6 in the open group.


CONCLUSIONS
MIT can be performed with similar morbidity and efficacy as transsternal thymectomy. Patients require fewer narcotics and can be discharged earlier.
Youssef
Samuel J
SJ
Swedish Cancer Institute and Medical Center, 1101 Madison St., Suite 850, Seattle, WA, USA.
Louie
Brian E
BE
Farivar
Alexander S
AS
Blitz
Maurice
M
Aye
Ralph W
RW
Vallières
Eric
E
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007902:Length of Stay; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019060:Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D010149:Postoperative Pain; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D011336:Probability; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012371:Robotics / Q000379:methods*; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D056346:Sternotomy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013953:Thymus Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult