Médiastinoscopie

Mediastinoscopy is the exploration of the mediastinum (anatomical region between the two lungs) by an endoscope. The examination consists in introducing the endoscope through an incision of about 3 cm made at the base of the neck.

Mediastinoscopy aims at removing lymph nodes for analysis by an anatomopathologist, which allows to make a diagnosis or to assess the extent of a tumor. For patients suffering from associated cardiovascular diseases, certain other preoperative examinations can be performed (consultation with the anesthetists, cardiac examinations, etc.)

This examination requires a basic assessment of operability: electrocardiogram, blood test, and chest X-ray.

Mediastinoscopy is performed in hospital, under general anesthesia. It requires a hospital stay of 24 to 48 hours.

Hematoma, pneumothorax, voice change for some time, surgical site infection, and bleeding are possible complications.

There are also risks inherent to any general anesthesia.