Thoracoscopic drainage and resection of giant mediastinal cyst

Video thoracoscopy is being used with increasing frequency by thoracic surgeons. Although initially used primarily for simple diagnostic purposes, improved instrumentation and evolving expertise have allowed for the performance of increasingly complex therapeutic procedures. We present a case of a giant subcarinal bronchogenic cyst in an elderly man with multiple medical problems. The cyst nearly occluded the bronchus intermedius and resulted in recurrent respiratory tract infections. Using video thoracoscopy, the cyst was drained and the wall of the cyst was resected successfully with minimal concomitant morbidity.