Thoracoscopy for the Diseases of the Mediastinum Including Thymectomy for Myasthenia Gravis.

The majority of mediastinal structures and diseases can be approached thoracoscopically. Diagnostic procedures for anterior mediastinal masses, mediastinal cysts, and staging of lung cancer are well accepted. Small but increasing experience has been gained with posterior neurogenic tumors. Complete thymectomy for management of myasthenia gravis has been performed, but the efficacy of the procedure for this indication awaits longer-term results.