Thoracoscopic surgery in the management of mediastinal masses. Indications, complications, limitations.

BACKGROUND

In recent times thoracoscopy has been used for diagnoses and treatment of mediastinal masses. This study is a preliminary review of indications, complications, and limitations in this field of surgery.

METHODS

Twenty-eight patients with mediastinal masses were operated in the Clinical Oncological Centre, Kazan. Twenty-two of them had anterior mediastinal growths; six had posterior mediastinal tumors. Thoracoscopy was diagnostic in 14 cases; it was therapeutic in 14 cases.

RESULTS

The definite diagnosis was achieved in all patients. In cases of benign lesions the operations were successfully completed thoracoscopically. All patients underwent a postoperative period with low pain and short postoperative time.

CONCLUSIONS

Video-assisted thoracoscopy is indicated in cases of mediastinal masses, both for diagnosis and treatment. It has significant advantages compared to normal thoracoscopy and mediastinoscopy.