Single-Port Thymectomy Using a Subxiphoid Approach

In a previous study, the author reported the application of single-port thymectomy through an infrasternal approach. In this video, the surgical technique is shown. The patient was placed in the supine position with his legs spread, and the surgeon stood between the patient’s legs. First, a 3 cm transverse incision was made below the xiphoid process. A port was then inserted into the wound below the xiphoid process, and CO2 was insufflated at a pressure of 8 mmHg. The surgeon held grasper forceps designed for single-incision surgery in the left hand, and a vessel sealing device in the right hand. The mediastinal pleura was incised to enter the pleural cavities. The thymectomy was performed. Since this single-port subxiphoid approach can be performed through a single 3 cm incision in the abdominal region, it is aesthetically excellent. It is among the least invasive of thymectomy procedures, because no sternal incision is applied and the intercostal nerves are not injured.