Hemorrhagic complication during robotic surgery in patient with thymomatous myasthenia gravis

Abstract

The advantages of thymectomy as part of the treatment of myasthenia gravis has been demonstrated repeatedly in the literature. Both single-institution and multi-institution trials have shown robotic thymectomy to be safe, feasible and associated with better early clinical outcomes than the trans-sternal approach. Most reports have also documented the superiority of robotic technology in the dissection of the superior mediastinum over conventional thoracoscopy, thanks to instruments with more degrees of movement and freedom. However, in case of a vascular injury in the superior mediastinum, after an initial management with minimally invasive approach, one should not hesitate to convert to sternotomy if the bleeding control hasn't been definitely established. In this way it is possible to avoid catastrophic injuries, also in relation to the limitations that, in our opinion, the robotic surgery has once a major vascular injury occurs in the mediastinum.