Maximal Thymectomy via Mini Sternotomy with Pleural Preservation

Area of Science:

• Thoracic Surgery
• Surgical Oncology

Background:

• Maximal thymectomy is crucial for treating thymoma and myasthenia gravis (MG).
• Various surgical techniques exist, each with distinct benefits and drawbacks.
• A novel mini sternotomy with pleural preservation approach is proposed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a mini sternotomy approach for complete maximal thymectomy.
• To assess postoperative outcomes in patients with thymoma and/or MG.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective analysis of 32 patients undergoing maximal thymectomy via mini sternotomy over 5 years.
• Data collected included patient demographics, MG severity, operative details, and postoperative recovery metrics.
• Tumor staging (Masaoka) and resection margins were assessed.

Main Results:

• The mean patient age was 43.66 years; the cohort was nearly equally divided by sex.
• 69% of patients had Stage I thymoma, with a mean tumor size of 4.54 cm.
• All cases achieved complete resection; no perioperative mortality occurred, and serious complications were minimal.

Conclusions:

• Mini sternotomy provides a less invasive yet effective method for maximal thymectomy.
• This approach leads to a smoother postoperative course and fewer complications.
• It is a viable and accessible surgical option, particularly in regions with limited access to advanced technologies like VATS or robotic surgery.