Resection of 8 mediastinal bronchogenic cysts by video-assisted thoracoscopy

Mediastinal bronchogenic cysts are an uncommon entity and surgical experience of their removal by video-assisted thoracoscopy is limited. We present our patient outcomes and surgical technique in the treatment of bronchogenic cysts by video-assisted thoracoscopy. The study included 8 patients (4 females and 4 males between the ages of 4 and 52 years), 7 of whom presented clinical symptoms. The mean widest diameter of the cyst was 7.6 cm. In 5 patients the cyst was in the middle mediastinum and in 3, the posterior mediastinum. The intervention was performed using 3 or 4 entry points. Initial puncture of the cyst and removal of its contents greatly facilitated cyst manipulation and subsequent dissection of the cyst sac from the structures to which it was attached. In all 8 cases resection by video-assisted thoracoscopy was carried out with no intraoperative complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 3.3 days. During follow-up, which ranged from 4 months to 10 years, no patients presented late-onset or recurrent complications.