BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical experience of thymic cysts treatment from a single center.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: Clinical data, imaging, pathological results, and follow-up results of thymic cyst patients who underwent surgery from January 2013 to September 2019 were retrospectively reviewed.

RESULTS: A total of 117 patients were enrolled, including 76 asymptomatic patients and 41 symptomatic patients. The average diameter of thymic cysts, the cysts in asymptomatic patients, and those in symptomatic patients were 31.93±19.92 mm, 29.28±17.97 mm, and 36.85±22.50 mm, respectively. The number of cysts ranged from 1 to 3 cm, 3 to 6 cm, and >6 cm in 73 cases (62.4%), 32 cases (27.3%), and 12 cases (10.3%), respectively. There was no correlation between the size of thymic cysts and the presence or absence of symptoms. Only 20 cases (17.1%) were correctly diagnosed as thymic cysts before surgery. There were 67 patients (57.3%) who underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) and 50 cases (42.7%) underwent open surgery. Cystectomy was performed in 93 cases (79.5%) and 24 cases (20.5%) underwent simultaneous resection of thymic cysts and other thoracic tumors. Compared with the thoracotomy group, the VATS group had shorter hospital stay and chest tube indwelling time. No serious complications occurred after surgery. The median follow-up time was 45.0 months (range 4.0–84.0 months) and there was no recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS: Attention should be paid to the accuracy of preoperative diagnosis of thymic cysts and the reduction of asymptomatic thymic cystectomy. For patients who have both thymic cysts and other thoracic tumors, simultaneous surgery is safe and feasible.

Keywords: mediastinal cyst, Thoracic Surgery, Chest Tubes, Length of Stay, Thoracoscopy, Thoracotomy, Tomography, X-Ray Computed