Bilateral thoracoscopic extended thymectomy versus sternotomy

摘要

Background: Complete open surgical resection is the standard treatment for thymoma and myasthenia gravis. We evaluated the feasibility of bilateral video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy, and compared it to surgery via sternotomy. Methods: From 2011 to 2014, 43 patients undergoing thymectomy were divided into 2 groups: 23 underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy, and 20 had thymectomy via sternotomy. The primary outcomes were postoperative pain score (visual analog scale) at 6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, and 1-month postoperatively, and morphine consumption in the first 48 h. Secondary outcomes were surgical and clinical results.