Videothoracoscopic excision of thoracic neurogenic tumors

Background. Videothoracoscopic surgery is a new procedure for treating neurogenic tumors of the thorax. Feasibility and utility of this technique are not yet well defined. Methods. Over a 26-month period, 26 neurogenic tumors of the thorax were treated in five general thoracic surgery centers performing videothoracoscopic surgery. Indications and contraindications for this new procedure and initial results were retrospectively studied. Results. Contraindications to videothoracoscopy included intraspinal extension of the tumor (n = 3), spinal artery involvement (n = 2), tumors more than 6 cm in diameter borderline located within the thorax (n = 2), and middle mediastinal location (n = 1). Videothoracoscopy was performed in 18 patients. Conversion to thoracotomy was required in 3. In 1 patient, subsequent chest wall resection was performed because of malignancy. Postoperative hospital stay was uneventful. It was shorter after videothoracoscopy. Postsurgical pain was more acute in patients who had thoracotomy or convension to thoracotomy. Conclusions. Videothoracoscopy is a good alternative for managing neurogenic tumors of the thorax when deemed feasible. There is a tendency toward a shorter hospital stay with less pain in patients treated by this new procedure.