Approach to mediastinal masses: a comparison of open surgery and uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery techniques

Abstract

Aims: This study aimed to compare perioperative and postoperative outcomes in patients who underwent uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (U-VATS) and open surgery for mediastinal mass resection. Methods: A total of 62 patients who underwent mediastinal mass resection in the Thoracic Surgery Clinic were included. The patients were separated into the open surgery group (n=30) and the U-VATS group (n=32). The groups were compared in terms of perioperative and postoperative outcomes including operative time, blood loss, chest tube removal time, drainage volume, pain, and hospital stay. Results: The distributions of age and gender were similar between the groups. Median operation time (120 vs. 180 minutes, P < 0.001), median intraoperative blood loss (50 vs. 100 mL, P < 0.001), median time of chest drain removal (4 vs. 6 days, P < 0.001) and median postoperative drainage volumes were lower in the U-VATS group than the open surgery group. The U-VATS group exhibited a lower VAS score, return time to daily activity (1 vs. 4 days, P < 0.001) and length of hospital stay (4 vs. 6 days, P < 0.001). A postoperative myasthenic crisis was not observed in all cases. One thymoma patient in the open surgery group had a recurrence, but not in the U-VATS group. Conclusion: The U-VATS approach had better intraoperative safety and lower postoperative outcomes than open surgery. U-VATS, which has the potential to enhance postoperative recovery and quality of life, may be a safe and effective treatment option for patients with mediastinal mass resection.