Abstract
Background This study investigated the feasibility and safety of omitting chest tube drainage
after subxiphoid thoracoscopic thymectomy.
Methods From July 2018 through October 2018, 20 patients underwent subxiphoid thoracoscopic
thymectomy without chest tube drainage. The clinical characteristics and perioperative
outcomes of these patients are presented.
Results All patients (10 males, 10 females; average age: 53.25 ± 12.50 years old) completed
the operation. Chest tube drainage was omitted in a total of 20 patients. The operative
time was 89.45 ± 49.80 minutes. No adverse events were observed. The bed-side ultrasound
examination of the pleural cavity on the day of surgery showed a thimbleful of effusion
and did not require thoracentesis. A postoperative chest roentgenogram on the next
morning showed full expansion without pneumothorax in all patients. None of the patients
required reintervention with chest drainage through the time of discharge.
Conclusion The omission of chest tube drainage may be an alternative procedure for selected
patients undergoing thoracoscopic thymectomy. The omission of chest tubes in thymectomy
is safe, but further investigation is required.
Keywords
mediastinal tumor - thoracoscopic - postoperative - care
