Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Thymectomy Versus Subxiphoid Thymectomy: Short-Term and Long-Term Results

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are comparing two surgical methods for thymectomy, a surgery to remove the thymus gland often performed for thymoma and myasthenia gravis. The study aims to evaluate the short-term and long-term outcomes of the newer subxiphoid procedure versus the conventional video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) thymectomy. This comparison is important because thymectomy techniques have become less invasive recently, potentially improving recovery and long-term results. Participants will receive either the subxiphoid surgery procedure or the VATS surgery procedure for thymectomy. These two groups represent the experimental and active comparator arms of the study, respectively. The study is randomized and double-blind, meaning participants are randomly assigned to one of the two surgical methods without knowing which they receive. During the study, researchers will monitor several short-term outcomes, including postoperative pain using a visual analogue scale within 3 days, operation time, blood loss, drainage duration within 7 days, and hospital stay length within 7 days. They will also assess long-term outcomes such as complete remission rates and recurrence rates over 5 years, and overall survival within 10 years. Participant health and recovery will be closely followed throughout these periods.

Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Thymectomy Versus Subxiphoid Procedure