Subxiphoid single-port thymectomy without CO₂ insufflation: Experience of a single center

The subxiphoid single-port approach for thymectomy has advantages compared with conventional lateral transthoracic approaches. Most of centers use CO₂ insufflation to secure an appropriate surgical field during subxiphoid thymectomy, which causes fighting between surgical instruments and restrictions on the types of surgical instruments. The objective of this study is to introduce an effective method to establish the subxiphoid approach without CO₂ insufflation using a retractor and steel wire.

All consecutive 59 patients undergoing subxiphoid single-port thymectomy between August 2014 and August 2021 were reviewed retrospectively.

We analyzed data of 59 patients (31 male and 28 female) with a median age of 59 years (range 50-68). Two (3.4%) patients presented postoperative complications. The conversion to a different approach was required in 4 (6.8%) cases. The median follow-up time was 23 months (range 10-41) and loco-regional recurrence was observed in one patient (1.7%). There were no intraoperative deaths and the postoperative mortality. No complications related to sternal wiring occurred.

Subxiphoid single-port thymectomy without CO₂ using a retractor and steel wire insufflation is a technically feasible method.