[Giant Mediastinal Mature Teratoma Treated by Thoracoscopic Surgery with a Lateral Mini-thoracotomy]

Mediastinal teratomas are germ cell tumors that account for 15% of all adult anterior mediastinal tumors. Giant anterior mediastinal tumors sometimes require a median sternotomy and an additional approach or a clamshell approach. We present a case of a large mature teratoma occupying the left thoracic cavity that was treated by a thoracoscopic surgery with a lateral mini-thoracotomy. Preoperatively, we marked the lateral thoracic area near the largest cyst. In the right lateral recumbent position, a 4-cm incision was made in the left 6th intercostal space. Several large cysts were drained as much as possible. In the supine position, three 5-mm ports were placed in the 2nd, 5th, and 6th intercostal spaces. The left lobe of the thymus and the tumor were resected en block. Pathologically, the tumor was a mature teratoma. The patient had a good postoperative course and was discharged on the 8th postoperative day.