Totally Endoscopic Techniques: Left-Sided Thoracoscopic Thymectomy

Abstract

Standard surgical procedures of thymectomy available — as a positive impact on the course of the condition in patients with myasthenia gravis — comprise transsternal, transcervical, extended transsternal, and thoracoscopic thymectomy. All four options have been shown to have a positive impact on the outcome of the disease. Of importance of these approaches is the complete excision of thymic tissue. Up until the present time, however, the question as to what constitutes the optimal approach to thymectomy is still a matter of controversial debate. The development of minimal invasive surgery with its well-known advantages also led to the introduction of thoracoscopic thymectomy, a procedure that can be performed from either the right or the left side. Results of thoracoscopic thymectomy have proved to be comparable with those of other thymectomy procedures.