Thorac Cardiovasc Surg 2015; 63(03): 178-186
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1396083
Review
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Transsternal Thymectomy

Giulio Maurizi
1   Department of Thoracic Surgery, University La Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Antonio D'Andrilli
1   Department of Thoracic Surgery, University La Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Lorenzo Sommella
2   Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
,
Federico Venuta
3   Department of Thoracic Surgery, University La Sapienza, Policlinico Umberto I, Rome, Italy
4   Lorillard Spencer-Cenci Foundation, Rome, Italy
,
Erino A. Rendina
1   Department of Thoracic Surgery, University La Sapienza, Sant'Andrea Hospital, Rome, Italy
4   Lorillard Spencer-Cenci Foundation, Rome, Italy
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

17 July 2014

06 October 2014

Publication Date:
12 December 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Thymectomy is a well-established indication for management of myasthenia gravis and it represents the most effective treatment for thymic tumors. The traditional surgical approach is median sternotomy. More recently, different less-invasive surgical approaches for thymectomy have been proposed as an alternative to open surgery. This article discusses the main technical aspects and results of literature.