[Long-term outcomes of thoracoscopic thymectomy for thymoma stage i-ii]

OBJECTIVE

To compare long-term outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) and conventional open surgery in patients with early-stage (Masaoka stage I-II) thymic malignancies.

MATERIAL AND METHODS. A

Retrospective study included patients after VATS and open thymectomy for the period 2000-2019. Long-term outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

VATS thymectomy was performed in 53 (54.1%) patients, open thymectomy - in 45 (45.9%) cases. Median follow-up period was 66.9 months. Overall 5-year survival was 89.8% and 97% in the Open and VATS groups, respectively (p=0.076). Disease-free survival rates were 79.6% and 86.6% (p=0.279), respectively. There was no significant difference in cumulative incidence of recurrence (13.3% vs 7.5%, p=0.505). Age <50 years and tumor size >5 cm were the independent risk factors of recurrence.

CONCLUSION

VATS thymectomy is an effective approach ensuring similar long-term outcomes in patients with early stages of thymic malignancies.

[Comparative analysis of thoracoscopic and open thymectomy for thymoma stage I-II]

OBJECTIVE

To improve the short-term postoperative outcomes in patients with thymoma stage I-II by using of thoracoscopic thymectomy (VATS TE) and to compare this technique with open (OTE) thymectomy.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis included 98 patients who had undergone surgery for thymoma stage I and II for the period from January 2001 to December 2019. VATS TE (main group) was performed in 53 (54.1%) cases, OTE (control group) - in 45 (45.9%) patients.

RESULTS

Duration of VATS TE and OTE was similar. VATS procedure was characterized by less intraoperative blood loss (50 vs 225 ml, p=0.000), lower pain scores and morphine consumption (p=0.000), shorter postoperative pleural drainage (1.5 vs 3.8 days, p=0.000), and postoperative hospital-stay (7.6 vs 12.7 days, p=0.000). Incidence of major complications was significantly less in the main group (9.4% vs. 1.9%, p=0.001).

CONCLUSION

VATS TE is effective and safe procedure for thymoma stage I-II. Postoperative period after VATS TE is characterized by less intraoperative blood loss, incidence of complications, duration of pleural drainage and hospital-stay.