Thoracoscopic surgery for dumbbell-type neurogenic tumor

We report three cases of thoracoscopic resection for neurogenic mediastinal dumbbell tumor with different degrees of progression. Case 1 was a 62-year -old female with Eden type 3 tumor resected with the combined approach both laminectomy in the prone position and;following thoracoscopic operation in the lateral position. Case 2 was a 40-year-old male with Eden type 4 tumor resected by thoracoscopic surgery in the lateral position only. Case 3 was a 12-year-old girl with Eden type 2 tumor treated by the same combined app roach as case 1. All tumors were successfully resected at a single-stage an d pathological findings showed benign schwannoma. Regarding complications, case 3 developed liquorrhea in the postoperative period because of wide res ection of the intradural tumor and improved after 3 weeks' pleural drainage . Thoracoscopic approach facilitates the safe and complete resection of med iastinal dumbbell tumor of Eden type 2, 3 and 4. However, postoperative liq uorrhea should be always considered, especially in the case of Eden type 2 tumor.