Simultaneous double video mediastinoscopy and video mediastinotomy--a step forward

Eur J Cardiothorac Surg. 2005 May;27(5):920-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ejcts.2005.01.052.

Abstract

Mediastinal lymph node biopsy plays a fundamental role in diagnosis, staging and management of lung cancer. We describe a novel method of using the video-mediastinoscope for concurrent cervical mediastinotomy and anterior mediastinoscopy. We have performed five concurrent procedures using this system in the last 14 months. In four cases, we assessed the aorto-pulmonary (A-P) window lymph nodes. In the fifth case, we performed a cervical mediastinoscopy for para-tracheal and sub-carinal lymphadenopathy followed by an anterior videomediastinotomy, video assisted intrapericardial assessment, direct tumour sampling and A-P window lymph nodal biopsies. Due to the excellent visualisation afforded by the Videomediastinoscope, we were able to avoid an open procedure in all cases. We believe that this represents a major benefit of the videomediastinoscope in select cases.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Biopsy
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Male
  • Mediastinal Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Mediastinoscopy / methods*
  • Neoplasm Staging