Subxiphoid robotic thymectomy for anterior mediastinal tumors located in cervical region

Thymomas sometimes are located in the cervical region, and strategies are needed to safely remove these tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and safety of subxiphoid robotic thymectomy (SRT) for anterior mediastinal tumors located in cervical region.

This was a retrospective database review of patients who underwent SRT from January 2011 to April 2024. Of the 81 patients who underwent SRT for anterior mediastinal tumors, 79 patients were included, excluding 2 patients who underwent reconstruction using artificial blood vessels.

In total, 41 patients in whom part of the tumor was located above or in contact with the innominate vein were classified as group A, and 38 patients in which the tumor was located caudal to the innominate vein were classified as group B. The patients in group A were significantly younger (median, 54 years vs 63 years; P = .035). There were no differences in perioperative data between the 2 groups: operative time (median, 192 vs 188 minutes; P = .961), intraoperative blood loss (median: 5 vs 5 g; P = .235), combined resection rate (17.1% vs 21.1%; P = .776), duration of thoracic drain insertion (median: 1 vs 1 day; P = .221), postoperative hospital stay (median: 4 vs 4 day; P = .694), and postoperative complications (9.8% vs 5.3%; P = .677). Conversion to other approaches and perioperative mortality were not observed in either group.

SRT, which enables full visualization of the innominate vein from the midline view, may offer increased safety for complicated thymectomies, including those requiring combined resection of the innominate vein, and may demonstrate safety comparable with that of procedures performed for cases caudal to the innominate vein.