[Diagnosis and surgical treatment of mediastinal neoplasms]

The authors share their experiences with examination and surgical treatment of 163 patients with various neoplasms of the mediastinum. The first place among the neoplasms is occupied by tumors of the lymphatic apparatus (33%), the second--by tumors of the thymus (21%). The video-thoracoscopic technique was used in 17 of 131 operations performed. Complications after the operations took place in 6 patients (4.5%), two patients died (1.5%). A conclusion is made that the patients of this category must be treated not only by thoracic surgeons but also by hematologists, neurologists, neurosurgeons and specialists in radiation therapy.