[Rapid surgical exploration of the mediastinum]

This study aimed to evaluate the morbidity-mortality of surgical exploration of the mediastinum in patients with mediastinal masses or adenopathy in the context of a rapid-surgery program that has been operating over the past 8 years (1985-1993). A total of 93 mediastinal explorations have been carried out. Sixty-five involved transcervical mediastinoscopy, 20 were anterior mediastinotomies, 4 were combined procedures and 4 were video-thoracoscopies. We found 34 cases of lymphoma, 28 of metastasis of bronchopulmonary carcinoma and 16 of mediastinal-ganglionic tuberculosis; the 15 remaining cases were classified as miscellaneous. No deaths were directly related to the surgical procedures; morbidity involved 2 wound infections. Surgical exploration of the mediastinum is a safe diagnostic procedure, provided it is carried out by an experienced team, and allows care givers to take better advantage of therapeutic options with no loss of quality.