Thoracoscopic excision of benign mediastinal lesions: our institutional experience

Thoracoscopy is a well-established method of diagnosis as well as therapeutic modality in pediatric intrathoracic space occupying lesions. This study reports a 3 year experience and results with thoracoscopic excision of benign mediastinal lesions in a tertiary care hospital.

From January 2020 to December 2023, total of ten patients presented with mediastinal masses. Age ranged from 10 months to 12 years. Eight are posterior mediastinal masses and two are anterior mediastinal masses.

Total 10 cases have been operated successfully with video assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Operating times ranged between 90 and 180 min. All cases were extubated in the operating room and no one required postoperative ventilatory support.

Thoracoscopic excision for benign lesions of thorax is a safe and optimal treatment with good outcome and excellent results pertaining to the postoperative course. It might be better accepted by patients with low rate of complications.