Original Article
The safety of thymic vein sealing with ultrasonic energy in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery thymectomy
Abstract
Background: The key for conducting thymectomy by thoracoscope is the treatment of thymic veins, as they are the most common source of bleeding. The traditional treatment is to cut off the distal and proximal vessels after Ham-Lock clamping. Our team found that it is safe and reliable to use ultrasonic energy to cut off thymic veins in previous open operations. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and safety of thymic vein sealing with ultrasonic energy in video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy.
Methods: A total of 169 patients with or without thymic tumors who underwent thymectomy by thoracoscope were enrolled in the study. Among them, group A, with 89 patients, underwent thoracoscopic thymic vein resection by Ham-Lock, and group B, with 80 patients, did so by ultrasonic energy. The groups were compared in terms of the characteristics of patients, tumors, and perioperative period.
Results: There were no significant differences in patients’ characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in blood transfusion, operation time, drainage, and hospitalization (P>0.05). There were no deaths, secondary operation and post-operative blood transfusion, and no serious complications leading to prolonged hospitalization. One patient in group A was converted to thoracotomy due to left anonymous venous hemorrhage, and one patient in group B had thymic venous hemorrhage, but the hemorrhage was successfully stopped under thoracoscope.
Conclusions: In VATS thymectomy (with or without thymic tumors), there is no significant difference in the treatment of thymic veins between Ham-Lock clipping and ultrasonic energy in conversion to open surgery in regards to thymic venous hemorrhage, postoperative drainage, blood transfusion, operation time, drainage, and hospital stay. Use of ultrasonic energy is a safe and reliable method for thymic vein disconnection.
Methods: A total of 169 patients with or without thymic tumors who underwent thymectomy by thoracoscope were enrolled in the study. Among them, group A, with 89 patients, underwent thoracoscopic thymic vein resection by Ham-Lock, and group B, with 80 patients, did so by ultrasonic energy. The groups were compared in terms of the characteristics of patients, tumors, and perioperative period.
Results: There were no significant differences in patients’ characteristics between the two groups (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in blood transfusion, operation time, drainage, and hospitalization (P>0.05). There were no deaths, secondary operation and post-operative blood transfusion, and no serious complications leading to prolonged hospitalization. One patient in group A was converted to thoracotomy due to left anonymous venous hemorrhage, and one patient in group B had thymic venous hemorrhage, but the hemorrhage was successfully stopped under thoracoscope.
Conclusions: In VATS thymectomy (with or without thymic tumors), there is no significant difference in the treatment of thymic veins between Ham-Lock clipping and ultrasonic energy in conversion to open surgery in regards to thymic venous hemorrhage, postoperative drainage, blood transfusion, operation time, drainage, and hospital stay. Use of ultrasonic energy is a safe and reliable method for thymic vein disconnection.
