Giant mature teratoma in thymic tissue removed with uniportal vats approach

Abstract

Highlights • Teratomas are tumours composed by different tissues derived from one or more of the three primitive germ cell layers. The frequency of mediastinal teratomas ranged from 1 to 5 %, in most cases with localization in the anterior/superior mediastinum.• VATS technique is minimally invasive, and it is characterized by a shorter recovery period, a minor blood loss and a shorter hospital stay. VATS has been advocated since 2010 for pulmonary resections, but today it is also performed for mediastinal intervention and a series of reports have demonstrated that it is feasible and safe.• We demonstrate that uniportal VATS could be used also to remove mediastinal giant mass, without complications for patients, with a reduction hospital stay, less post-operative pain and better cosmetic results.