An alternative approach for addressing mediastinal tumours through mini-invasive surgery

The treatment of choice for mediastinal tumours is surgical, with the standard approach being sternotomy. Because of the invasive nature of this procedure, the management of these masses through mini-invasive surgery has become an alternative method.

We report the case of a woman with a mediastinum tumour and a new technique used for resection, through an inframammary left incision, using a Thoratrak rib spreader and Rultract Skyhook retractor assisted by a video.

This approach allows a complete visualization of the mediastinum and total dissection of the tumour safely around vascular and nervous structures. The pain is minimal because there is no real rib spread but instead an anterior displacement of the upper rib. This is the first reported case of resection of a mediastinum tumour by inframammary approach using a Thoratrak rib spreader and Rultract Skyhook.