Standardized definitions and policies of minimally invasive thymoma resection.

A wide range of technical approaches for the minimally invasive resection of thymus have been described. Most of the time, the benefits are superior cosmetic outcome and shorter duration of postoperative stay. Other demonstrable differences that have been reported include shorter duration of surgery, less intraoperative blood loss and less postoperative pleural drainage. Robotic surgery and video-assisted surgery (VATS) may become routinely used procedures in the treatment of stage I and II thymomas.