Abstract: Although most of the posterior mediastinal masses are found incidentally in adults, neurogenic tumors are the most common mediastinal tumors in children. The rate of malignancy may be as high as 50% in children, whereas, neurogenic tumors are almost always benign in adults. Open surgery is indicated in large-sized tumors (>6 cm), in the presence of a previous thoracic surgery, or when the tumor is presumed to invade the spinal canal or spinal artery, or is apically located (close to the satellite ganglion, and great vessel).
Historically, a sternotomy or thoracotomy was required to perform these procedures, which involved opening the chest with a sternal saw or mechanically spreading apart the ribs to gain access to the pleural cavity, where the lungs are situated. Uni-VATS allows access to the chest via a single incision, which can reduce complications associated with thoracic surgery and improve recovery time.
