title: Bilateral thoracoscopic thymectomy using a novel positioning system.
abstract: Several techniques of bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy have been proposed, and each has its own proponents. We summarize our experience in 20 patients who underwent bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy, using a new patient positioning that amplifies the thoracoscopic view of the cardiophrenic regions which are often difficult to visualize with standard techniques. In all cases, en-bloc thymectomy with complete dissection of the mediastinal fatty tissue was achieved without sternal retractors or additional incisions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Policlinico Morgagni, Catania, Italy fpcaronia@yahoo.it.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Caronia
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic Surgery, Second University of Naples, Naples Italy.
authors.forename: Alfonso
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fiorelli
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery "Genurto", University of Palermo, Palermo, Italy.
authors.forename: Attilio Lo
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Monte
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D056888:Patient Positioning / Q000379:methods*; D020775:Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D013934:Thymectomy / Q000379:methods*; D013950:Thymus Gland / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Myasthenia gravis; thoracic surgery; thymectomy; thymus gland; video-assisted