Recent advances in video-assisted thoracoscopic approach to posterior mediastinal tumours

Minimal invasive video-assisted thoracic surgery can be a safe alternative technique in the assessment, diagnosis and surgical resection of posterior mediastinal tumours. Video-assisted thoracic surgery may be particularly suited for the management of posterior mediastinal tumours as most are benign. Surgical technique continues to evolve from the classic 3-port access in order to tackle more complex tumours positioned at the apical and inferior recesses of the posterior mediastinum. The preoperative identification of dumbbell tumours is important to facilitate arrangements for a single-stage combined resection for both the intra-thoracic and intraspinal tumour. Results from Video-assisted thoracic surgery posterior mediastinal tumour resection are comparable with conventional surgical techniques in terms of symptomatic improvement, recurrence and survival. Video-assisted thoracic surgery approach has been shown to result in less post-operative pain, improved cosmesis, shorter hospital stay, and more rapid recovery and return to normal activities. In over a decade, video-assisted thoracic surgery has gradually matured and is now a promising therapeutic alternative to open approach. In certain selected patients, video-assisted thoracic surgery may be considered the standard of care for conditions of the posterior mediastinum. Recent developments in robotic surgery for the management of mediastinal tumours are promising, however, long-term results are pending.