Non-intubated uniportal subxiphoid thoracoscopic extended thymectomy for thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis

BACKGROUND: To describe a technique of non-intubated uniportal subxiphoid thoracoscopic extended thymectomy. METHODS: Data were collected retrospectively. A single 3-cm transverse incision was made below the xiphoid process. This method for extended thymectomy entails adoption of uniportal subxiphoid VATS combined with using of non-intubated anesthesia for thymoma associated with myasthenia gravis. RESULTS: Ten consecutive patients underwent this procedure successfully. Mean operative time was 102.5 min. Conversion to intubated ventilation or thoracotomy was not required. Mean chest tube duration was 3.5 days. Mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.7 days. Histologic examination showed early-stage thymomas. Side effects were rare. Quantitative MG scores decreased during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Patients were uneventfully discharged with fast recovery. This technique may merge the potential benefits of a subxiphoid incision and the non-intubated anesthesia protocol.