[The endoscopic operations by solid thoracic tumors in children]

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Surgery
• Thoracic Oncology
• Minimally Invasive Procedures

Background:

• Solid tumors of the pleural cavity are a significant concern in pediatric patients.
• Traditional thoracotomy for thoracic tumors can involve substantial postoperative morbidity.
• Advancements in surgical techniques are crucial for improving outcomes in pediatric thoracic surgery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pediatric pleural tumors.
• To compare VATS with traditional thoracotomy in terms of postoperative recovery and results.
• To assess the safety and feasibility of VATS in a pediatric population with thoracic malignancies.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study comparing two groups of pediatric patients with pleural cavity solid tumors.
• Group 1: 20 patients underwent thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).
• Group 2 (Control): 22 patients underwent surgery via thoracotomy.

Main Results:

• Patients undergoing VATS experienced statistically better postoperative periods.
• The overall outcomes were significantly improved in the thoracoscopically treated group.
• The study included pediatric patients aged from 1 day to 17 years with tumors ranging from 3.1×3.5×4.0 cm to 10×10×20 cm.

Conclusions:

• Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is a superior approach for managing solid tumors in the pediatric pleural cavity.
• VATS offers significant advantages over thoracotomy, leading to better postoperative recovery and outcomes in children.
• This minimally invasive technique should be considered for the treatment of pediatric thoracic tumors.