Uniportal-video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) resection of multiple left thoracic neurofibromas: a case report

Abstract

Background: Mediastinal and chest wall tumors include a huge variety of tumors, often related to syndromes. Neurofibromatosis is a heterogenic group of diseases; patient affected by neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) can develop several manifestations, including thoracic masses, and their symptoms can variate related to dimension. Surgical treatment may be challenging and often performed by invasive approaches.Thoracoscopic approach in this this kind of tumors is always challenging, due to lesions size and possible chest wall infiltration. Only few cases are described in literature, approached by highly invasive surgery (thoracotomy, sternotomy) and only one by minimally invasive surgery [triportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS)].Case Description: We report the first case of uniportal-VATS resection of multiple left thoracic neurofibromas in a 40-year-old patient, affected by NF1, with good surgical outcomes and with a fast and safe post-operative recovery. Indeed, chest tube was removed on the second post-operative day, with normal chest X-ray at discharge. Conclusions: Uniportal-VATS approach seems to be a safe, and feasible procedure for surgical treatment of mediastinal and chest wall pathologies, including neurofibromas. It requires good skills in thoracoscopy but, in the hands of expert surgeons, it is a safe and valuable approach. Experienced surgeons with good skills in minimally invasive surgery are required.