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Thoracoscopic thymectomy versus open thymectomy for the treatment of thymoma: A meta-analysis
1Department of Thoracic Surgery, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Kunming Medical University (Yunnan Tumor Hospital), Kunming, Yunnan, 650118, China.
Background:
Some studies compared the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic thymectomy (OT) with open thymectomy (TT) in the treatment of thymoma, but the results remained controversial. This meta-analysis was designed to determine the safety and efficacy of thoracoscopic thymectomy in comparison with open thymectomy in the treatment of thymoma.
Methods:
Relevant studies were searched in databases of PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science. Comparative studies of thoracoscopic thymectomy and open thymectomy in the treatment of thymoma were included. Both short-term perioperative and long-term oncologic outcomes were analyzed.
Results:
14 Eligible studies were identified through electronic databases. Our analysis suggested, when compared with open thymectomy, patients having thoracoscopy might benefit from less blood loss (p = 0.004), lower blood transfusion rate (p = 0.02), shorter mean duration of chest tube (p = 0.002), hospital stay (p < 0.001) and lower complication (p = 0.03). There was no statistical difference in 5-year OS rate (p = 0.14) and DFS/RFS rate (p = 0.07) between two groups.
Conclusion:
Our study indicated that thoracoscopic thymectomy could become a valid alternative to open thymectomy in selected patients with thymoma.
