[Current anesthesia risk of anterior mediastinal masses]

To analyze the current risk of an anesthetic event during surgical acts in pediatric patients with anterior mediastinal masses (AMM) in a tertiary oncology center, using the previously published risk factors to plan the procedure.

Retrospective study (2009-2015) of pediatric patients with AMM who underwent surgical procedures at debut. Published risk factors (symptoms, radiological findings), with special focus on the statistically significant ones, diagnosis, surgical and anesthetic procedure, special measures, and anesthetic events were recorded. Patients were classified as high or low-risk when airway or vascular compression or severe symptoms were present.

Retrospective study (2009-2015) of pediatric patients with AMM who underwent surgical procedures at debut. Published risk factors (symptoms, radiological findings), with special focus on the statistically significant ones, diagnosis, surgical and anesthetic procedure, special measures, and anesthetic events were recorded. Patients were classified as high or low-risk when airway or vascular compression or severe symptoms were present.

Preoperative evaluation of risk in AMM through clinical history and CT/MRI and surgical/anesthetic planning leads to excellent outcomes. The least aggressive procedures should be favored, but if needed, planned general anesthesia under experienced hands is safe even in risk patients.