Experience with video-assisted surgery for suspected mediastinal tumours.

AIM: To assess the therapeutic feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the excision of suspected mediastinal tumours.

METHODS

The case notes of 24 consecutive patients referred to a single surgeon between 1997 and 2002 for excision of suspected mediastinal tumours were reviewed. The operative, post-operative and pathological characteristics of patients treated thoracoscopically and by open procedure were analysed.

RESULTS

Thirteen of 24 patients underwent thoracoscopic excision. The mean age of the two groups was similar as was the mean operating time and duration of chest drainage. However, patients in the thoracoscopic group had less chest drainage, less pain and a shorter hospital stay.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopic excision of mediastinal tumours is a safe and technically feasible procedure and may offer significant post-operative advantages over open procedures.