Robot-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for mediastinal masses: a single-institution experience

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The objectives of this study were to evaluate the feasibility and safety of robot-assisted thoracic surgery (RATS) using the da Vinci robotic system for mediastinal mass resection and to describe the surgical approach for masses in different mediastinal regions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed data from 84 patients who underwent RATS for resection of a mediastinal mass from June 2015 to April 2019. The results were analyzed with descriptive statistics. RESULTS: The mediastinal mass was resected successfully in all patients, with one patient requiring conversion to conventional open surgery. There were no intraoperative complications. The most common diagnoses were thymoma (n=17), bronchogenic cyst (n=16), and schwannoma (n=12). The surgical approach was determined by the location of the lesion and the planned extent of surgical resection. Resection was performed in the lateral decubitus position in 29 patients with posterior mediastinal tumor, semi-lateral decubitus position in 42 patients who only need resection of anterior mediastinal mass, and reverse Trendelenburg position in 13 patients undergoing thymectomy. The mean (± standard deviation) operation time was 91.86±56.42 min, duration of chest tube use was 1.83±0.93 days, and postoperative hospital stay was 3.62±7.52 days. Three patients (3.5%) developed postoperative complications: one chylous fistula, which required reoperation, and one case each of atrial fibrillation and pulmonary infection, which were treated conservatively. CONCLUSIONS: Our experience demonstrated that different surgical approaches of RATS are safe and feasible for mediastinal mass resection. An appropriate approach can be selected based on the mediastinal region in which the tumor is located.