A Propensity Score-Matching Analysis: Robotic Thymectomy Through the Subxiphoid Has Advantages Over Video-Assisted Thymectomy Surgery

Objective: The purpose of this article is to evaluate the security and effectiveness of subxiphoid and subcostal robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (S-RATT) and compare it with subxiphoid and subcostal video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (S-VATT) in terms of short-term perioperative results and costs.Methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 62 individuals who had undergone successful complete thymectomy for anterior mediastinal disease using subxiphoid and subcostal arch approaches. Propensity score-matching analysis was utilized between the two groups, and the perioperative outcomes were compared.Results: The S-RATT group exhibited less intraoperative blood loss (20 & PLUSMN; 15.35 versus 69.55 & PLUSMN; 69.54, P < .001), lower levels of C-reactive protein (112.38 & PLUSMN; 68.08 versus 72.58 & PLUSMN; 42.62, P = .027), and lower postoperative pain scores (2.09 & PLUSMN; 1.54 versus 4.27 & PLUSMN; 1.28, P < .001). However, the hospitalization costs of patients in the S-VATT group were found to be lower than those in the S-RATT group (33,802.41 & PLUSMN; 8785.05 versus 49,977.53 & PLUSMN; 20,221.79, P < .001).Conclusions: S-RATT appears to be a viable and secure method for managing anterior mediastinal tumors.

Automated summary

This study evaluated the security and effectiveness of subxiphoid and subcostal robot-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (S-RATT) and compared it with subxiphoid and subcostal video-assisted thoracoscopic thymectomy (S-VATT) in terms of short-term perioperative results and costs. The S-RATT group showed less intraoperative blood loss, lower levels of C-reactive protein, and lower postoperative pain scores, while the hospitalization costs of the S-VATT group were lower.