A case of anterior mediastinitis and bilateral multiple lung abscesses occurring after trans-subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy for thymoma with myasthenia gravis

A 68-year-old female was admitted to our hospital with an acute episode of chest pain, progressive cough and fever. She underwent trans-subxiphoid video-assisted thoracoscopic extended thymectomy (TsVATET) for thymoma with myasthenia gravis (MG) 9 days ago. Chest computed tomography (CT) showed anterior mediastinal oedema, and infiltrative findings involved bilateral lung. Physical examination revealed the subxiphoid wound suppuration. We diagnosed subxiphoid incision infection, anterior mediastinitis and concomitant bilateral pneumonia. Using antibiotics intravenously combined with anterior mediastinum irrigation and drainage, she felt well but bilateral multiple lung abscesses were discovered on the 12 th day of hospitalisation. After conservative treatment with antibiotics and wound care, the recovery was satisfactory and she discharged home. In our experience, because the subxiphoid incision, the anterior mediastinum and the bilateral thoracic cavity communicated directly after TsVATET, we should be aware of the risk of anterior mediastinitis, the infection of bilateral pleural cavity, pneumonia and multiple lung abscesses following subxiphoid incision infection.