Abstract: Objective To investigate the value of videoassisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in the treatment of myasthenia gravis (MG) by comparing the early clinical outcomes of extensive thymectomy of VATS and median sternotomy. Methods 195 patients who received extended thymectomy for MG from July 1998 to May 2007 in our department were divided into two groups by operative approach, 83 patients in the VATS group (from April 2002 to May 2007) and 112 patients in the full median sternotomy group(from July 1998 to May 2007). The clinical features, such as operative time, operative blood loss, postoperative drainage, the incidence of crisis, duration of crisis (time of mechanical ventilation), were retrospectively analysed by independent samples t test or chisquare test to evaluate the early outcomes.Results The postoperative drainage in the VATS group was more than that in the median sternotomy group (164.65±38.19ml vs. 98.26±26.84ml, P=0.023), and the operative blood loss in the VATS group was less than that in the median sternotomy group（53.24±11.69ml vs. 97.37±24.61ml,P=0.036）. The incidence of crisis in the VATS group was 4.82%（4/83），which was less than that in the median sternotymy group ［13.39%(15/112), P=0.046,OR=3.054］. And the persistence time of mechanical ventilation for post-operative crisis in the VATS group was much shorter than that in median sternotomy group （75.33±39.31h vs. 189.20±89.74h, P=0.012）. Conclusion VATS extended thymectomy for myasthenia gravis is safe and less invasive. It can decrease the incidence of crisis and the time of mechanical ventilation of crisis, as well as decreasing operative blood loss.
Abstract: Objective To investigate the role of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in treatment of benign pulmonary disease, in order to promo te the mini-invasive way of operation. Methods From May 2001 to M ay 2006, 128 patients with benign pulmonary diseases were treated by VATS. The diseases included 17 kinds of different lesions, such as tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, inflammatory pseudotumor, giant bullae of lung, hamartoma,lymphangiomyomatosis, etc. 53 cases had definite diagnosis before operation, the others had final diagnosis by pathology. Limited resection were performed in 66 cases, single lobectomy in 56 cases, bilobectomy in 2 cases, and concomitant bilateral lobectomy in 4 cases. Limited resections were carried out by pure thoracoscopic procedure with three ports, lobectomies were carried out by video-assisted minithoracotomy with 7-10cm incision. Results For lim ited resect ion, the average operat ive durat ion w as 110m in (30-180m in) , blood loss was 60m l (10-300m l) , none had intraoperative blood transfusion needed. Conversion to minithoracotomy occurred in 2 patients. Postoperative bleeding happened in one case, which was controlled by medicine. Average length of stay was 6. 5 days. For lobectomy, the average operation time was 145 min (80-260min) , blood loss was 190ml (50-500m l) , no intraoperative blood tansfusion needed. Conversion to tranditional thoracotomy occurred in 3 patients, pneumonia occurred in 2 patients, delayed healing of mini-incision occurred in 2 patients. One diaphragmat ic hernia and one active bleeding after operat ion underwent second thoracotomy. Average length of postoperative stay was 7. 4 days (4-13d). For bilateral lobectomies, the average operative duration was 330min (270-415m in) , postoperative length of hospital stay was 10.7days (8-16d). No perioperative death occurred. Conclusion VATS for benign pulmonary disease is miniinvasive and safe, the pat ients recover quickly. It could be the choice of operation for selected patients in equipped center.
Abstract： Objective To explore the method and effect of single utility port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery （VATS） for the treatment of pulmonary diseases. Methods From Jan. 2008 to Jun. 2010, 158 patients with pulmonary diseases were treated by single working pore VATS in the Department of Thoracic Surgery of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. Their diseases included 6 kinds of different lesions, such as pneumothorax（inflammatory pseudotumor, hamartoma, lymphangiomyomatosis） , lung tuberculoma, and lung carcinoma. Seventy patients had definite diagnosis before their operation, and the others had their final diagnosis by intraoperative frozen section evaluation and postoperative pathology examination. All the resections were carried out by pure thoracoscopic procedures with two ports, one working pore and one observing pore. A 28-Fr chest tube was placed to the pleural apex. Limited lung resection was performed in 151 patients, single lobectomy in 7 patients, and simultaneous bilateral operation in 6 patients. Results For limited lung resection patients, the average operation time was 18 （5-60） min, and the average blood loss was 33 （5-95） ml. No patient needed intraoperative blood transfusion . Ten patients received an increased pore, including 6 patients with pleural cavity obliteration or abundant pleural adhesions, and 4 patients with intraoperative bleeding . The average postoperative length of stay was 2.5 （2-4） days, and the average medical cost was 17 884 （15 476-25 387） Yuan. For patients undergoing lobectomy and lymph node dissection, the average operation time was 128 （50-220） min, and the average blood loss was 180 （80-478） ml. No patient needed intraoperative blood transfusion. One patient received an increased pore. The average postoperative length of stay was 4.7 （4-7） days, and the average medical cost was 42 385 （38 965-57 695） Yuan. No perioperative death or severe complications were observed in present series. Conclusion Single utility port VATS is a safe and efficient procedure with good patient recovery. It is a method of choice for selected patients with pulmonary diseases.