Video-Assisted Thoracoscopic Treatment of Coelomic Cysts

Coelomic cysts are uncommon benign cyctic lesions of the mediastinum. Complete resection of the cyst with surgical treatment is indicated depending on whether the patient is symptomatic or whether the cyst grows during follow-up, or whether the diagnosis is uncertain. Surgical treatment prevents complications, relieves symptoms, and establishes diagnosis. Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is the best method for excision of these cysts. This approach is safe and effective, has low morbidity, and shortens the length of hospital stay We aimed to analyze our experience with coelomic cysts through VATS, reviewing clinical, radiological, and pathological features, early and long-term results of surgical management. Between January 2011 and December 2018, 20 patients with coelomic cysts who underwent VATS at our clinic were included in the study. The study included 11 female and 9 male patients with a mean age of 45.6 years. Symptoms were present in 17 patients and 3 were asymptomatic. The average cyst diameter was 5.4 cm (range 2-8 cm). Fourteen of them were right sided, the others were left sided. There were no operative mortality and complications. Postoperatively there were no complications, in all cases course was uneventful, all of them were discharged after a mean of 3 days (range 2-6 days). Considering the low complication rate and hospital stay, excision of coelomic cysts through VATS is extremely safe and comfortable, so it should be considered the primary therapeutic procedure.