To compare the therapeutic efficacy of single port versus total thoracoscopic surgery in the treatment of pediatric mediastinal tumors.

From January 2014 to June 2017, 46 children with mediastinal tumors who underwent surgical treatment were divided into two groups according to the operative approach used: A and B. Age, body weight, and tumor size were compared between the two groups. Group A (n=29) underwent single port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery, while group B (n=17) underwent total thoracoscopic surgery. Operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative drainage time, hospitalization time, and postoperative complications of the two groups were recorded and compared.

The average operative duration was significantly shorter in group A than in group B [(69.35±8.24) min vs (72.80±6.28) min] (P<0.05) . The volume of intraoperative blood loss was similar between the two groups [(21.47±6.85) mL vs (27.52±4.15) mL]. Mean postoperative drainage time and hospitalization time of group A were slightly longer than those of group B [(5.46±1.72) days vs (4.68±1.39) days, (6.93±1.34) days vs (5.92±1.67) days]. All operations were successfully completed. There was two cases of conversion to thoracotomy in group A. No severe complications occurred in either group.

Compared with total thoracoscopic surgery, single port video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery offers the advantages of smaller incision and faster recovery for mediastinal tumors under 5 cm; however, the latter is more time-consuming.