title: One Stage Posterior Minimal Laminectomy and Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Surgery (VATS) for Removal of Thoracic Dumbbell Tumor.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted to assess the surgical results of one-stage posterior minimal laminectomy and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for the treatment of thoracic dumbbell tumor and to describe its precise technique. In addition, we investigated the technique's usefulness and limitations.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven cases of thoracic dumbbell tumor (two men and five women, mean age, 43 years) were analyzed retrospectively. Pathological findings included schwannoma in four patients, neurofibroma in two patients, and hemangioma in one patient. The location of tumors varied from T2/3 to T12/L1. Dumbbell tumors were resected by one-stage operation using posterior laminectomy followed by VATS without instrumentation. Clinical data were reviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean follow-up period was 25 months (range, 3-58 months), and the operative time ranged from 255 to 385 min (mean, 331 min), with estimated blood loss ranging from 110 to 930 mL (mean, 348 mL). The tumor was completely resected without instrumentation and postoperative instability in all cases. Postoperative complications included atelectasis and facial anhydrosis in one case each.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  One-stage posterior minimal laminectomy and VATS may be a safe and less invasive technique for removal of thoracic dumbbell tumor without instability. This method has the advantage of early ambulation and rapid recovery because it reduces blood loss and postoperative pain.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyoung Hyup
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Nam
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo Yeoung
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Su
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.affiliation: Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular surgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Yeoung Dae
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: Byung Kwan
authors.initials: BK
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Medical Research Institute, Pusan National University Hosptial, Busan, Korea.
authors.forename: In Ho
authors.initials: IH
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Laminectomy; One-stage operation; Thoracic dumbbell tumor; VATS