Videothoracoscopic excision of a mediastinal thymoma

The authors have applied the advances in optics, endotelevision monitoring, and instrumentation that have led to the development of videoendoscopic abdominal surgery to performing major excisional procedures in the thorax. A videothoracoscopic technique for the removal of a mediastinal thymoma is described. The procedure was done on a 24-year-old woman suffering from a benign lymphoepithelial thymoma of the mediastinum. The mediastinal mass was mobilized under videolaparoscopic guidance and extracted from the thorax through a small (4 cm) inframammary incision. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the patient experienced minimal postoperative pain. She was discharged on the 3rd postoperative day with excellent functional and cosmetic results and resumed normal activity 4 days later.