Preferred surgical procedure for posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumor

Aim: To compare the outcomes of video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) with those of thoracotomy for the removal of posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors. Methods: Twenty-four patients were enrolled in the VATS group and 29 were enrolled in thoracotomy group between 1996 and 2010. Results: When compared with the thoracotomy group, patients in the VATS group had a shorter operation time (90 +/- 29 min vs. 136 +/- 41 min, P < 0.001), less blood loss (42 +/- 12 mL vs. 209 +/- 162 mL, P < 0.001), shorter time to extubation and discharge (2.5 +/- 0.7 days vs. 3.1 +/- 1.0 days, P = 0.027; 3.6 +/- 0.6 days vs. 4.1 +/- 1.0 days, P = 0.045). Conclusion: VATS is a safe and effective surgical procedure for posterior mediastinal neurogenic tumors with better outcomes than thoracotomy.