Video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery for a giant mediastinal teratoma in a pediatric patient

Abstract

Mediastinal teratomas are tumors originating from the primitive germ streak. The primary treatment for these tumors is surgery, traditionally performed through thoracotomy or sternotomy. Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) procedures have been increasingly employed in adult patients. However, the utilization of the VATS approach in pediatric patients remains limited worldwide. Furthermore, the presence of teratomas in the anterior mediastinum poses a challenge for VATS surgery in pediatric patients, as it involves delicate anatomical structures such as the heart, vena cava, and aorta. Here we present the case of a symptomatic pediatric patient weighing 35 kilograms who presented with respiratory distress. The patient had a mass measuring 7.5 cm in diameter with indistinct borders with the pericardium. The patient underwent a successful complete surgery using the VATS technique. VATS is a reliable surgical approach for mediastinal teratoma surgery in pediatric patients, provided the surgeon has adequate experience.