Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2009 Feb;42(1):72-78.

Is Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Resection for Treating Apical Neurogenic Tumors Always Safe?

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Vincent's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea. minseop@catholic.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.
  • 3Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.
  • 4Department of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery, Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Mediastinal neurogenic tumors are generally benign lesions and they are ideal candidates for performing resection via video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS). However, benign neurogenic tumors at the thoracic apex present technical problems for the surgeon because of the limited exposure of the neurovascular structures, and the optimal way to surgically access these tumors is still a matter of debate. This study aims to clarify the feasibility and safety of the VATS approach for performing surgical resection of benign apical neurogenic tumors (ANT). MATERIAL AND METHOD: From January 1996 to September 2008, 31 patients with benign ANT (15 males/16 females, mean age: 45 years, range: 8~73), were operated on by various surgical methods: 14 VATS, 10 lateral thoracotomies, 6 cervical or cervicothoracic incisions and 1 median sternotomy. 3 patients had associated von Recklinhausen's disease. The perioperative variables and complications were retrospectively reviewed according to the surgical approaches, and the surgical results of VATS were compared with those of the other invasive surgeries. RESULT: In the VATS group, the histologic diagnosis was schwannoma in 9 cases, neurofibroma in 4 cases and ganglioneuroma in 1 case, and the median tumor size was 4.3 cm (range: 1.2~7.0 cm). The operation time, amount of chest tube drainage and the postoperative stay in the VATS group were significantly less than that in the other invasive surgical group (p<0.05). No conversion thoracotomy was required. There were 2 cases of Hornor's syndrome and 2 brachial plexus neuropathies in the VATS group; there was 1 case of Honor's syndrome, 1 brachial plexus neuropathy, 1 vocal cord palsy and 2 non-neurologic complications in the invasive surgical group, and all the complications developed postoperatively. The operative method was an independent predictor for postoperative neuropathies in the VATS group (that is, non-enucleation of the tumor) (p=0.029).
CONCLUSION
The VATS approach for treating benign ANT is a less invasive, safe and feasible method. Enucleation of the tumor during the VATS procedure may be an important technique to decrease the postoperative neurological complications.

Keyword

Thoracoscopy; Mediastinum; Neurogenic tumors

MeSH Terms

Ants
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies
Chest Tubes
Drainage
Female
Ganglioneuroma
Humans
Mediastinum
Neurilemmoma
Neurofibroma
Retrospective Studies
Sternotomy
Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted
Thoracoscopy
Thoracotomy
Vocal Cord Paralysis
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