Thoracoscopic resection of cranial mediastinal masses: Retrospective study in 17 cats
🔍 Key Findings
- Thoracoscopic resection was feasible in cats, with all 17 cases initially approached thoracoscopically and 100% perioperative survival.
- Conversion to open or VATS procedures occurred in 35.3%, most commonly due to large tumor size (>5 cm) or adhesions to the cranial vena cava.
- Thymoma was the most common diagnosis (70.6%), followed by thymic carcinoma and other rare lesions.
- No major intra- or postoperative complications were reported; minor complications occurred only in converted cases.
- Median surgical time was 50 min and median hospitalization was 2 days, supporting rapid recovery.
- CO₂ insufflation at low pressure (2–3 mmHg) improved visualization but did not always prevent conversion.
- Tumor size was the strongest predictor of conversion, with 5/6 conversions involving masses >5 cm.
- Mean survival time was 390.6 days, with cats with thymoma showing the longest survival.
Simini Surgery Review Podcast
🔍 Key Findings
- Thoracoscopic resection was feasible in cats, with all 17 cases initially approached thoracoscopically and 100% perioperative survival.
- Conversion to open or VATS procedures occurred in 35.3%, most commonly due to large tumor size (>5 cm) or adhesions to the cranial vena cava.
- Thymoma was the most common diagnosis (70.6%), followed by thymic carcinoma and other rare lesions.
- No major intra- or postoperative complications were reported; minor complications occurred only in converted cases.
- Median surgical time was 50 min and median hospitalization was 2 days, supporting rapid recovery.
- CO₂ insufflation at low pressure (2–3 mmHg) improved visualization but did not always prevent conversion.
- Tumor size was the strongest predictor of conversion, with 5/6 conversions involving masses >5 cm.
- Mean survival time was 390.6 days, with cats with thymoma showing the longest survival.
Simini Surgery Review Podcast
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