These preliminary results suggest that thoracoscopic thymectomy for Masaoka stage I and II thymoma is technically feasible and safe, and it is less invasive for the patient. Nevertheless, this procedure requires further investigation in a large series with a longer follow-up.

We report the case of a 28-year-old woman with primary intercostal leiomyoma who presented with a complaint of right chest pain. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a slightly enhanced solid mass in the right anterior fifth intercostal space. Percutaneous needle biopsy revealed spindle cells without evidence of malignancy. Wide en bloc excision of the chest wall, including the anterior fifth and sixth ribs and the upper costal arch, was performed. This way, the mass was completely resected without exposure, and the chest wall defect was reconstructed using a Gore-Tex ® dual mesh. Histopathological analysis confirmed localized primary intercostal leiomyoma. The patient has been disease-free for more than 2 months since surgery. Primary leiomyomas of the chest wall are extremely rare. To the best of our knowledge, 9 cases of leiomyoma of the pleura have been reported till date, but this is the first case report of an intercostal leiomyoma of the chest wall. This case report describes the clinical course of this case and presents a review of the relevant literature.

Thoracoscopic thymectomy for Masaoka stages I and II thymomas presented acceptable oncological outcomes. Further investigation in a large series with longer follow-up is required. Masaoka stage III thymoma requires careful consideration of the approaches, including median sternotomy.

The leakage of tracheal anastomoses is one of the major complications that occurs after tracheal reconstruction. Improved reinforcing methods for anastomoses would thus be clinically useful. To find a better technique, we examined the postoperative would-healing effect of fibrin glue on tracheal anastomosis in the rat. Experimental rats were divided into two groups. In the control group (n = 21), the trachea was anastomosed by interrupted absorbable sutures. In the fibrin glue group (n = 21), the trachea was anastomosed in the same manner as the control group, with the addition of fibrin glue around the area of anastomosis. In the two groups, we studied the amount of hydroxyproline and histological findings on the seventh, 14th, and 21st postoperative day. The amount of hydroxyproline and collagen fibers in the fibrin glue group was more than in the control group on the seventh postoperative day. These results suggest that fibrin glue has a promotive effect in the healing of tracheal anastomosis.

The incidence of IH in children is significantly lower than that in adults, and the above three risk factors were revealed. Before abdominal surgery, we recommend that pediatric surgeons should mention the risk of developing IH when the patient has the above risk factors.