What is mediastinoscopy? : The mediastinum is a potential space which, put simply, is the area between the heart and the lungs. Mediastinoscopy is a procedure in which a special instrument (a mediastinoscope) is introduced through the neck and advanced in front of and alongside the windpipe (trachea) to reach this area and take samples. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia; the patient is asleep during the operation. The patient is admitted to the hospital on the morning of the surgery. Although the patient could be sent home once fully awake, we prefer to keep the patient in the hospital for one night.
When is mediastinoscopy performed : Its most common use is in the pre-operative staging of lung cancer. If cancer cells are found in the lymph node biopsy taken from this area, surgery is not recommended and the patient is directed to other treatment methods. Its second most common use is in the diagnosis of lymph nodes and masses located in the mediastinum. Are there risks? When performed by experienced hands it does not carry major risks, but it should not be forgotten that this is a procedure performed in a vessel-rich and vital region, and some problems may occur. Mortality during this procedure is extremely rare (0.08%).
Complications that may be seen:
Bleeding
Tracheal (windpipe) injury
Stroke
Esophageal injury
Hoarseness
Wound infection
Hematoma
Cardiac arrhythmia
Who should not undergo this procedure: It is not performed in patients with a very large goiter, an innominate artery aneurysm, or a permanent tracheostomy (an opening made in the neck into the windpipe to allow breathing). It may be performed, depending on the situation, when it is being repeated for a second time or in patients who have previously had heart surgery.