[Chest Tube is Unnecessary after Video-assisted Thoracoscopic Mediastinal Tumor Resection].

Of the 64 patients who underwent surgery for mediastinal tumors at our department from April 2019 to December 2022, 59 patients( 92.2%) underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery( VATS). Among the patients who underwent open surgery, 5 patients underwent median sternotomy and 1 patient underwent posterolateral thoracotomy. We usually perform 3-port VATS for mediastinal tumors. After surgery, patients are allowed to drink water after awakening from anesthesia, and they can have dinner on the day. If no lung resection is performed, we use a Nélaton catheter to remove air from the thoracic cavity and do not place a chest tube, and none had a chest tube insertion after surgery. As a result, postoperative pain was minimal, early ambulation was possible, and hospital stay was shortened.