Subxiphoid single-port thymectomy: Six-year experience of a single center.

Kang, Do Kyun; Kang, Min Kyun; Heo, Woon; Hwang, Youn-Ho

BACKGROUND The subxiphoid single-port approach for thymectomy has several advantages compared with conventional lateral transthoracic approaches. However, perioperative outcomes of subxiphoid single-port thymectomy are still lacking. The objective of this study is to present our 6-year experience of subxiphoid single-port thymectomy, including our learning curve. METHODS All consecutive 49 patients undergoing subxiphoid single-port thymectomy between August 2014 and September 2020 were reviewed retrospectively. RESULTS We analyzed data of 49 patients (27 males and 22 females) with a median age of 58 years (range 49-68). Two patients presented postoperative complications. The conversion to a different approach was required in four cases. The median follow-up time was 17 months (range 3-35) and locoregional recurrence was observed in one patient. There were no intraoperative deaths and postoperative mortality. The operation time cumulative summation learning curve analysis revealed that the curves descended from the 24th case. CONCLUSIONS The subxiphoid single-port approach for thymectomy is a safe and feasible modality with few complications.