Tumor-to-thoracic height ratio as an easy method to predict the feasibility of reduced-port video-assisted thoracic surgery for mediastinal lesions in children: a single-center experience

In the last few decades, reduced-port video-assisted thoracic surgery (RP-VATS) has been developed to minimize surgical invasiveness. Nevertheless, VATS in children can occasionally be difficult because the lesion occupies a small thoracic cavity, limiting the working space. This study aimed to assess the feasibility of RP-VATS for the resection of mediastinal lesions in children in association with the tumor-to-thoracic height ratio (TTH ratio). We reviewed all patients aged ≤10 years who underwent resection for mediastinal lesions in our institute between January 2008 and August 2022. Patients who underwent diagnostic procedures were excluded from this study. The TTH ratio was calculated as tumor height divided by thoracic height. Seven patients in the RP-VATS group and six in the conventional procedures (multi-portal VATS or open surgery) group were included in this study. The TTH ratio was significantly lower in the RP-VATS group than in the conventional procedures group (median, 26.3% vs. 50.8%; P=0.007). The operating time (P=0.01) and duration of drainage (P=0.003) were significantly shorter and the blood loss (P=0.001) was significantly lower in the RP-VATS group than in the conventional procedures group. After adjusting for age, a lower TTH ratio was significantly associated with the completion of RP-VATS (odds ratio: 0.776; 95% confidence interval: 0.529–0.926; P=0.048). In conclusion, RP-VATS can be performed appropriately in carefully selected cases of pediatric mediastinal lesions. A low TTH ratio may predict the feasibility of RP-VATS. Further studies are warranted to determine the criteria for the indications of RP-VATS in children, so that more children can benefit from RP-VATS.